PANJIM: Rohit Monserrate, son of BJP Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, is set to become the Mayor of Panjim while Vasant Agshikar will retain the post of Deputy Mayor, which he held during the previous tenure of the council. Rohit’s selection as Mayor comes days after Babush had publicly made it clear that he is now the face of the BJP in Tiswadi.
The two councillors who won the recently-concluded CCP elections from the panel that was backed by the BJP, filed their nomination papers on Monday before the returning officer. There being no other nominations, this paves the way for them to be declared as Mayor and Deputy.
Speaking to media persons after filing their nominations, Rohit, “As I said before, we have to implement my dad’s manifesto.”
“We are here only for the development of Panjim. We have a game plan of what we want to do. We also need to look into each ward and see what development needs to be done and fulfill whatever promises we made to the people. Plus we have a very good team and I think we can get a lot done,” he added.
Asked to comment about how he feels given that he is a relatively young face and will be now elected to the post of Mayor, Rohit said, “I think it’s good that we get a chance also. There are a lot of policies that we could actually implement. That can help and benefit the people of Panjim.”
The prospective deputy Mayor Agshikar also concurred with that line of thought and said, “It’s a good combination. Both are young and this is good for the work we want to do. Being young also, our wavelengths (thought process) can match.”
When asked about their immediate plans for the State capital, Rohit said, “We will sit together as a team and decide. I don’t have any as of now. In the coming weeks, I am sure we will come up with a plan.
He acknowledged that he can rely on his father’s experience and that of the older corporators who were re-elected. “We have a lot of experienced people in the panel also. We do have to consult them, which will be good and give us a lot of hands on experience. We are new also so it will be valuable to me,” Rohit said.
About the value of having government support, he said, “It is very helpful that the government is on your side. There’s no point being in the opposition where you can never get anything done and I am hoping to get a lot done.”
Agshikar thanked the BJP leaders for choosing him as the Deputy Mayor again and said whatever works they could not do in the previous terms, mainly due to the COVID pandemic, they will strive to complete the same in this term.
He added that the Mayor, himself and the commissioner will soon chalk out the new course of action taking the ruling panel into confidence. He too dwelled on the fact that having government support is helpful in terms of clearing of funds and receiving funds from the Centre as well.
