Team Herald
PONDA: In an unexpected move, all six MGP panch members of the Curti-Khandepar panchayat supported the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition BJP panchas against the MGP-backed Deputy Sarpanch. The motion was passed 10-0.
Two weeks ago, Sarpanch Supriya Gavde (MGP) signed the no-confidence motion in connivance with the five BJP members. The next day, she held a press conference with the MGP panchas and claimed the BJP members had pressurised her to sign it. She submitted a letter to the Block Development Officer (BDO) stating that she was withdrawing her signature on the motion.
Irked over her allegations, the BJP members led by Sandeep Khandeparkar alleged that Gavde had asked them to bring the no-confidence motion against her deputy, who was allegedly interfering in panchayat matters and harassing her.
Despite Gavde’s claim that removing the deputy sarpanch was against her wishes, no provision was made to withdraw the motion, and thus, it came up for discussion on Monday. Surprisingly, after levelling charges against each other, both MGP and BJP unanimously passed the motion. Dy Sarpanch Narendra Parab did not attend the meeting.
Sources at the 11-member Curti-Khandepar panchayat claimed that Parab often changed from MGP to BJP and back, and he interfered in panchayat matters. Thus, the BJP and MGP members were forced to vote him out from the post.
