MARGAO: In another day of high drama, Margao Municipal Council chairperson Dr Babita Angle announced her resignation following the Dr Jack Sequeira statue issue. Angle said Congress and BJP have a gathbandhan and that they won’t keep Goem, Goenkar and Goenkarponn in Goa.
Angle addressed the media with 10 councillors – Peter Fernandes, Pooja Naik, Vice Chairperson Tito Cardozo, Glen Andrade, Zita Crasto, Kutubuddin Bhagewadi and Lyndon Pereira.
Calling Sequeira a Goan hero, Angle announced her resignation saying, “We shall not compromise on any of their (opposing councillors) demands. I am putting in my resignation, saying that we shall stand by what we resolved, and come what may, we shall have the statue of Dr Jack Sequeira on the announced date.”
She added, “Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, when he was Speaker, could deny the installation of the statue in the ministerial block. Obviously when he is the Chief Minister now I think he can deny it anywhere.”
“Let them give us an assurance that they will give permission and we will apply as we are not against the law or the administration,” Angle said, claiming that she is resigning from the post taking the onus.
Referring to the opposing councillors she said, “They have named me and said that if we don’t take our resolutions back, then she will have to resign or face no confidence motion. We are not taking it back and no compromise.”
She added, “I see no reason for Congress Councillors and Dorris Texeira having a problem with what we are doing in Fatorda. People of Fatorda don’t have a problem.”
“I don’t think both national parties are looking at keeping Goem, Goenkar and Goenkarponn. Congress and BJP have a gathbandhan and they don’t seem to want to keep Goenkarponn,” Angle said.
Alleging a bigger plan, she said, “I feel there is a bigger conspiracy, as councillors of two opposed ideologies have come together. They have joined hands to oppose the installation of the statue of Sequeira.”
Speaking on the minutes Angle said, “There is one stenographer attached to the office of the chief officer. She writes the minutes which are sent to the Chief Officer who sends them to the chairperson for final approval.”
