But since 2012, an interesting scenario seen in Xaxti politics in the villages is how Benaulim MLA Caitu D’Silva attends the gram sabha proceedings of Carmona, Orlim, Varca, Benaulim, Cavelossim and Colva. Similarly despite being a minister, Avertano Furtado also makes rare appearances at the gram sabha meetings of the Davorlim-Housing Board and Navelim panchayat. While Mickky is a regular at the Nuvem panchayat except when he was in jail. Also Reginaldo Lourenco is always there to make noise and interact with his voters at the Curtorim panchayat.
But the same is not seen with the city boys: Vijai Sardessai, Damu Naik, Digmbar Kamat, Rajan Naik, Milind Naik, Carlos Almeida, Jose Philip D’Souza, Francis D’Souza and Nilesh Cabral are all vying and campaigning for their panels but these men are never seen around at the council later for five years.
Rajan, Milind, Carlos, Jose Philip, Francis, Digambar, who plunged into electoral politics as councillors, never attend the extraordinary or even emergency meetings.
“I am a grassroots politician and a councillor for two terms before hitting the Assembly politics and governance. But the rules don’t let us participate in discussion at a council meeting, so there’s not question of going there. I keep track of what’s happening in my council but I also stay away from the municipal politics. But, now I myself plan to amend the law to allow citizens and MLAs to attend the meetings,” explains Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza. He is of the opinion that councillors don’t have the knowledge of governance.
But Savio Coutinho, a two time chairperson and a three time councilor pointed out: “See, the city MLAs are ex-officio members of that council and receive all meeting notices and details. If they want, they can definitely be present for the meeting and guide the council. They prefer to give back-door corrupt orders, than facing the public.”
Kamat, who is campaigning door-to-door for his protégés and made his debut into politics in 1984 through the Margao municipal council, has a different take on whether MLAs should attend council meetings. He said that a councillor should study his ward and work within it under the mentorship of his MLA; the MLA need not go for council meetings unless called for. Indecently, Kamat hosts meetings of councillors and is a key decision maker for over 15 years.
Social activist Adv Rajeev Gomes explained that, previously, the municipal rules allowed anybody to attend a council meeting as long as the individual didn’t disturb the proceeding of the meeting. Hence, he sees no fault in MLAs attending the council meetings. “The Municipalities Act clearly allows MLAs to be a part of the meeting and deliberations; but they have no voting rights,” he added.
Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, a former chairperson of Murmugao Municipal Council, said he was unable to attend the council meetings for want of advance notice. “Their notices come very late, and by then I have too many commitments,” he said.
Milind Naik never attended any council meetings after getting the licence to ride to the Porvorim secretariat.
Jose Philip, a former councillor, doesn’t want to face the public at a council meetings and the councillors’ ire. “I don’t think it is necessary; the council and the MLA should be independent,” explained Jose Philip.
The lone politician who favours the idea of an MLA attending a council meeting is MLA Rajan Naik, a former Cuncolim municipal chairperson. He said the councillors and MLA need to work closely for development. Rajan himself as an MLA never attended a council meeting but says he’s open to the idea.
Nilesh Cabral seems to be the only MLA who has attended 80% of the Curchorem Council meetings unless he’s travelling. “Bad or good decisions, I am responsible for my council as the local MLA and hence I participate in all council meetings,” explains Nilesh.
