Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai termed the elections as “yet another round of musical chairs at the municipality.” He and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat together named Avinash Shirodkar for the post at a joint meeting of MLAs and councillors. An angered Sadanand Naik decided to file as an independent. Avinash was proposed by Sushila Naik, Sadanand by Babita Naik, Laxmikant by Gonzaco, and Arthur by Raju Naik.
“Babita Naik, Sadanand Naik, Sushila Naik, Tito Cardozo, Rosy, Dorris Texeira and Damu Shirodkar were present at the meeting and I was nominated by all. We have strong numbers and are confident of winning,” said Avinash.
Expressing surprise at Avinash’s nomination, Sadananad said, “I was the choice of all for the post of chairperson, but I am a little surprised as to how a different name came up. Anyway, the voters will elect a chairperson of arithmetic favour and not majority favour.”
Meanwhile, the Fatorda MLA stated he wasn’t very happy or hopeful about the election on Tuesday. However, he felt the group he was backing had to be united if they wanted a chance to grab the chair. He said, “I don’t see any hope at all whatsoever from this exercise as the election of chairperson wont help the people of Margao and the rain un-preparedness of Margao town.”
