Team Herald
PANJIM: After 30 years Calangute village panchayat will not have Joseph Sequeira, who was once called the “undisputed king” of Calangute, as an elected member. He lost to a candidate backed by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.
Interestingly, Sequeira had played a major role in getting Lobo elected to the State Legislative Assembly in 2012, defeating then Congress candidate and two-time MLA Agnelo Fernandes. However, the two fell apart within months of that election and in 2017 Sequeira had contested the Assembly elections against Lobo but lost by nearly 3000 votes.
Their hostility has reached to the extent that they have come to blows several times over development works and Lobo had vowed to defeat his friend turned foe and gain control over panchayat. And when the panchayat elections came, Lobo’s panel swept them with an 8-3 defeat of Sequeira’s panel.
Not only this, Lobo also wrested control of Candolim panchayat – once held by Fernandes’ panel. However, towards the end of term and Assembly election, a majority of the Candolim panchayat members, including Sarpanch Sandra Fialho, had extended their support to Lobo.
Similarly, Lobo’s panel also got re-elected in Arpora-Nagoa and Parra panchayats. Incidentally his wife, Delilah, was the sarpanch of Parra.
Speaking to Herald, Lobo said it is the victory of the people. “People wanted freedom from corruption and extortion and hence they have voted my panels in all panchayats,” he said adding, “It is the victory of the people. Victory of good over evil!”
Asked whether he has decided on Sarpanchas for the four panchayats, he said, “Nothing has been decided we will sit and discuss this with the new panchas and decide.”
