TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The nine-member Digambar-Vijai group in the civic body was hit by dissensions as fingers of suspicion were pointed at two members over cross-voting.
While fingers of suspicion were pointed at Gonzaco Rebello and Doris Texeria, Gonzaco hit back, demanding to know how one of the councillors who accepted Rs 25,000 and voted for the rival candidate is now part of the 12 member group.
Heated exchanges ensued between the Gonzaco-Doris duo and Berta in the councillor’s room, where the duo traded charges for suspecting them of cross-voting.
The group demanded that Gonzaco name the councillor who had taken the money but the latter promised to do so at the right time.
Berta however later strongly denied the charges, saying that she neither believes in accepting nor giving money to anyone.
The dissensions came to the fore soon after Berta’s election. When the winning 12 member group posed for a photograph, questions were raised over the presence of both Gonzaco and Doris amongst the group. Feeling insulted, both Gonzaco and Doris walked out, triggering protests in the councillor’s room.
Incidentally, both Gonzaco and Doris owe their allegiance to MLA Vijai Sardessai. The Fatorda MLA, when contacted, made light of the election, saying that he did not take any interest in Tuesday’s election.
