TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: They may have worked closely at the last elections, but relations between Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Calangute Panch and local bigwig, Joseph Sequeira, have frayed to such an extent that the two elected leaders sparred openly on Wednesday over the construction of bus bays at Calangute market.
The public spat between Lobo and Sequeira escalated over construction work at Calangute.
According to reports, trouble began while work was in progress to lay cement blocks along the main road at Calangute market for the bus bay.
A shop owner who had objected along with other shop owners requested Lobo to intervene in the matter.
When Lobo directed the workers to stop the work, Sequeira rushed to the site and refused to stop the work. Then chaos broke loose, with charges and accusations being traded by Lobo and Sequeira.
The war of words between the two leaders quickly attracted a large number of curious onlookers to the site. Calangute PI Nilesh Rane tried desperately to pacify both leaders and pleaded with them to arrive at an amicable solution.
PWD officials also rushed to site along with Bardez Joint Mamlatdar Anish Prabhudessai and they also tried to persuade Sequeira to stop the work, but he refused.
Finally, Deputy Collector Sabaji Shetye arrived at the site and directed the leaders to stop the work and asked both leaders to work out an amicable solution.
“I have directed the Calangute Panchayat to stop the work at the site and I will invite the warring parties for talks to arrive at an amicable solution over the issue,” Shetye told reporters at the site.
Defending his position in the matter, Sequeira accused Lobo of stopping the panchayat from doing development work in their village.
“The Calangute Panchayat was carrying out work for a bus bay and dividers which was stopped at the behest of Lobo,” said an upset Sequeira.
Sticking to his stand, Lobo insisted that, “Work on the bus bays was being done in haphazard manner in front of the shops and market area, which will pose a threat to life and property of shopkeepers and villagers at large.”
“We need bus bays, but not in the market area and at the cost of locals. Secondly, where will the locals park their vehicles when they visit Calangute market to shop? We cannot force things on villagers or shopkeepers and everyone should be taken into confidence on developmental issues. There should not be ego problems on any developmental issues and I will not allow such haphazard development in Calangute,” insisted Lobo.
