TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Amidst signs of cracks developing within the ruling Corporation of the City of Panaji panel, ahead of elections to the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Mayor Surendra Furtado and corporator Kabir Pinto Makhija filed their nominations for post of mayor and deputy Tuesday morning.
Furtado also accused local MLA Parrikar of trying to dislodge him by attempting to bribe Corporators from his panel.
“Offers are coming to my panel members…money …two bedroom…three bedroom flats are been offered…Chief Minister has got lot of power…he is misusing it…,” he alleged.
The last date for filling nominations is March 27.
Of the total 16 councillors from the ruling, only 14 were present at the time of filling of nominations. According to sources, Corporator Rudresh Chodankar and former Mayor Yatin Parekh have expressed their wish to contest for the Mayor post and hence were not present. St Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate, who backs the ruling panel, was also not present at the time of filing nominations.
Though the rift within the panel was apparent with the absence of the two Corporator, Furtado claimed that all his 16 Corporator from ruling panel are intact.
Addressing media, soon after filing nominations, Furtado said “We are confident of our win. All 16 councillors are intact…there are no differences.”
Furtado further said that outgoing deputy mayor Bento Lorena has voluntarily opted out suggesting Kabir’s name for the Deputy Mayor’s post.
The nomination papers were filed before the Administrator cum account officer Laxman Naik.
Offers are coming to my panel members…money …two bedroom…three bedroom flats are been offered…Chief Minister has got lot of power…he is misusing it…, Furtado alleged
