Team Herald
COLVA: Election to the vacant post of the Colva sarpanch are yet to be conducted although the Colva Sarpanch Anthony ‘Mam’ Fernandes tendered his resignation from his post to the Salcete Block Development Officer (BDO) over a month ago.
Interestingly, recently the election for the vacant post of the Raia sarpanch were conducted despite the Raia Sarpanch Esmeralda Fernandes e Gomes having resigned from her post on March 31. Gomes had quit, stating that she was resigning on her own free will and without any pressure from any source.
On Thursday, April 22, Minguelina Bela D’Souza was unanimously elected as the new sarpanch of Raia Village Panchayat.
Colva villagers questioned as to why the discrimination and double standards being adopted by the Directorate of Panchayats as they pointed out that the Colva Sarpanch Fernandes had quit citing ‘personal reasons’ on March 8. Since there was a mutual understanding of sharing the post of sarpanch among the ruling panel of the five Colva panchas who claim to be ‘united’ though firmly opposed to the local NCP MLA Churchill Alemao.
They alleged that hence, probably the local MLA Churchill, who is providing issue-based support to the BJP government, has exerted pressure onto the Salcete BDO not to conduct the elections to the vacant Colva sarpanch post.
Despite several attempts, the Salcete BDO was not available for comments.
