PORVORIM: Three senior councillors — Sandeep Falari, Sudhir Kandolker and Marlyn D’Souza — are in race for the post Mapusa Municipal Council chairperson, although they swear by consensus.
Out of 20 seats, Mapusa Democratic Front supported by Bharatiya Janata Party has won 16 seats. Senior leaders Sandeep Falari, Sudhir Kandolker and Marlyn D’Souza are the top contenders for the post of chairman. All three of them have won by a margin of over 800 votes in their respective wards, proving their clout.
Sandip Falari is an architect by profession; and has proved that he is a good administrator too when he was the civic chief. His credentials make him the first choice for the post of civic chairperson.
Sudhir Kandolker has maintained good rapport with all the councillors, including the opposition ones, and has the distinction of serving as chairperson.
Marlyn D’Souza is considered intelligent and if given a chance she would prove her mettle as an able administrator.
Although all these three contenders have made no secret of their desire to occupy the top job, they have maintained that the chairperson would be selected by consensus of all the elected councillors at a meeting to be headed by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’souza.
When asked who would be his choice for the post of chairperson, D’Souza told Herald that the most experienced person should head the municipal council and that he did not favour rotating the post of chairperson.
“There should be one chairperson for 5 years for the sake of stability and good governance,” he said adding, “However, if there is more than one claimant, then there is no alternative than adopting the policy of rotation.
“The chairperson will be selected only by the elected members and I will not impose my choice on the councillors,” D’Souza said.
