CORTALIM: Election to the posts of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch at Sancoale witnessed surprising results, with outgoing sarpanch Sharan Meti making a comeback by defeating Narayan Naik by 7-4 votes.
Rosalina Moniz was elected unopposed as deputy sarpanch. Interestingly, Moniz had voted in favour of a no-trust vote against Sarpanch Meti and Deputy Sarpanch Shilpa Naik early this month.
The results baffled the residents and many were left questioning the need to oust Meti if the panchayat wanted him at the helm of affairs. Meti was ousted earlier this month in a no-trust by 7-0 votes.
Criticising the behaviour of the panchas, Tony Fernandes from Zunvor, said: “The whole exercise was nothing but a waste of time of the panchayat and the public at large. If they (panchas) wanted Meti, then he should have continued without any ‘tamasha’. By ousting and then re-electing him, they have only taken the people for granted and brought the panchayat to a standstill.”
Meanwhile, Naik who is a staunch BJP supporter has criticised the format of the ballot paper which, he said, had confused the panchas.
“I will seek copies of ballot papers under RTI Act and then challenge the election result,” Naik told Herald.
