Hectic lobbying underway to oust Mormugao civic chief

Team Herald

VASCO: Even before the newly elected Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) can complete eight months, the musical chair game for the chairperson’s post has already begun. Sources in the council have confirmed that hectic lobbying is going on to replace MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik with a new face, for which a new group in the council has been formed. The group is reportedly leaving no stone unturned to dislodge Naik.

Interestingly, the MMC ruling group had assured stability in the council, but within seven months, the differences between the councillors have started coming to the fore and have reached the extent that these councillors have begun holding a series of closed-door meetings to dislodge Naik from the chair.

MMC sources confirmed to Herald that the unrest among the ruling group had started soon after Naik completed five months in the chair; a few councillors who aspired to become the chairperson had started negotiating with the other councillors to remove Naik, but their efforts were futile.

“Naik was elected as MMC chairperson with the support of majority of councilors in the 25-member council. There are several reasons to get upset with Naik. Firstly, he failed to take up any developmental work in the last seven months as chairperson. Even the development fund that was released to MMC was sent back to government. Such unrest was bound to take place,” said an MMC councilor who did wish to be named.

Anticipating trouble, Chairperson Naik on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with councillors, including those who had started turning against him, to understand the reason behind the sudden unrest and how the differences could be buried.

“Yes, there have been some issues, but after the meeting all such issues were resolved and the councillors will continue to support Naik,” said another councillor on the condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, keeping cards close to his chest, Naik refused to comment on the issue. However, he maintained that he had full faith in his councillors and the council would remain intact.