Khola sarpanch reinstated
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, SEPT 2
In an unusual turn of events, ousted Khola sarpanch Archana Velip was on Thursday unanimously reinstated, as five panchas in the nine-member panchayat, who had successfully passed the no-confidence motion against her, suspiciously failed to remain present for the elections.
According to Canacona BDO Manuel Barretto, Archana Velip was unanimously elected sarpanch of Khola Panachayat for the second time in this term.
It may be recalled that Velip was ousted over a month ago, after she failed even to remain present while taking up no-confidence motion moved against her by five panchas, including Deputy Sarpanch Ujwala Velip.
Barretto informed that only four panchas, which includes Archana Velip, Shanta Velip, Prabhakar Velip and Prabhakar Vaiz, were present for the elections held on Thursday at 10.30 am.
The election process presided over by BDO Extension Officer Kamlakar Dessai got over at 11.45 am, but there was no sign of five other panchas, who were duly served with the notices asking to remain present to elect a new sarpanch.
Only Archana Velip’s nomination was received and she was unanimously elected as sarpanch. “Seeing my developmental works, which I carried out and continue to do so, my detractors may have thought to support my candidature by remaining absent for the elections,” said jubilant Sarpanch Velip. It is not understood what went wrong, but a source informed the possibility of disagreement within the five-member group to nominate candidature for sarpanch among them could be the reason for the entire group’s absence.
Another source revealed that some panchas claimed they were unwell and did not attend the election process. Others suspected that an MLA compelled these panchas to remain absent for the reinstatement of the ousted sarpanch, who was previously installed as per that MLAs wishes.
