Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as corporators of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) affected by the reservation of wards for the March 6 poll seek to challenge the procedure of ward reservation before High Court, their panel chief Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate has ruled out any such possibility. He claimed that as the process for the CCP elections has already commenced, the court will fail to grant any relief.
Monserrate, stating that ‘arbitrary’ reservation will have no impact on the wards currently represented by him, said he will announce his panel by January 31.
Speaking to Herald, Monserrate said the political reservation process will make no difference in the wards represented by his panel.
“I was always ready with a replacement, this was expected. BJP is aware that it cannot win the CCP polls and hence these cheap acts are being made to ensure their win. However, I was always ready for any such development,” the St Cruz MLA said.
After the elections, Monserrate is likely to approach the High Court challenging the delimitation and reservation process undertaken by Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) and State Election Commission (SEC), to ensure that in future such disparities are avoided.
Monserrate said, “To approach the High Court now will be futile. I will challenge both reservation and delimitation processes post the election so that proper directions are given for future elections,” he said. He also said there are no differences between him and former mayor Surendra Furtado and both are together in the election.
Of the 30 wards in Panjim, 16 have been reserved for women, other backward classes (OBC) and schedule tribes (ST). Of the 16 reserved wards, 10 wards are currently represented by the Monserrate panel and these include his long-time corporators Yatin Parekh, Rudresh Chodankar and new comers like Kabir Makhija and Bento Lorena amongst others.
The MLAs refusal to challenge the reservation process came following a demand from his sitting corporator, whose wards are reserved for women and other backward classes.
“I feel Monserrate needs to take a call on challenging the reservation process and notification before the High Court,” Parekh, a former Mayor said. He said the reservation and delimitation process has been done to favour BJP.
Similarly, former deputy Mayor Makhija said the reservation needs to be challenged as it has been done arbitrarily and is a clear move to benefit the opposition.
The CCP elections are scheduled on March 6, with filing of nomination process beginning from February 9.
