TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Taken aback by the split in the Margao Municipal ruling group, six members of the ruling group led by beleaguered Vice-Chairperson Berta Cardozo called on Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai to seek guidance on how to go about with the latest bout of political instability in the civic body.
The group is believed to have briefed the Fatorda MLA on the sudden turn of events leading to the no-confidence motion tabled against the vice-chairperson by 13 members of the Council, including five members of the ruling group.
The Fatorda MLA is believed to have underlined the need for the group to introspect on the factors that brought about a split in the ruling group. The ruling group has still not decided whether Berta should quit office or face the no-trust motion.
What’s interesting to note is that while the eight-member group headed by outgoing Chairperson Arthur D’Silva has remained intact, there’s a vertical split in the ruling group owing allegiance to both Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai.
Incidentally, the ruling group now comprises only councillors who belong to the Digambar camp, with most of the city fathers owning allegiance to Sardessai are now signatories to the no-confidence motion.
It is still unclear whether MMC Chairperson, Dayanand Deulkar, who assumed office earlier this month on October 4, still belongs to the seven-member ruling camp or
has shifted his allegiance to the new 13-member group. Deulkar is presently out of station and will reveal his true allegiance upon his return, even as the 13-member group says that the Municipal Chairperson will be part and parcel of their group.
