CANACONA, NOV 2
The decision to elect the chairperson of Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) seems to have turned murkier, as all the confabulations late Monday night and Tuesday failed to break any ice.
According to sources, about nine councilors were closeted till late Monday night in a starred hotel, but nothing concrete could be worked out, as different preposition were put forward by the supporters, while about five councilors threw their hats to head the council.
The lone exception was Ponsulem Councilor elect Madhev Dessai, who incidentally unseated incumbent CMC chairperson Shyamsunder Dessai.
Speaking to Herald, Goa Pradesh Youth Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari said the list is presently pruned to two elects, while others agreed to the suggested understanding and workability systems expressed by the well-wishers.
According to Bhandari, now it has been left between Kindlem Councilor Ramakant Naik Gaunkar and Kindlebhag Councilor Ratnakar Dhuri. The other three prime claimants for chairperson’s post are Palolem Councilor elect Mario (Simon) Rebello, Ajit (Ajay) Bhagat (Bhagatwada) and Hemant Gracias (Chaudi).
Another solution worked out as per a source present at the meeting, is to make all the five councilors to occupy the seat one year each and give deputy chairperson’s post to the three women elects and the lone ST councilor Sandesh Gaonkar.
However, the formula reportedly found more favours and according to sources, late Monday night confabulations ended at that point, even as there were claims from all five to lead the council first.
Some elects have demanded a fresh meeting between only the elected councilors willing to be part of the group.
Incidentally, the lone councilor who stayed away on Monday night too, either personally approached others or sent feelers of his willingness to join the group of nine reportedly with a request to consider his name for the post of chairperson on rotational basis.
Nagarcem Councilor Suchita Naikgaunkar’s husband and outgoing councilor Ranghanath said: “It could be okay like sharing the chairperson and deputy chairperson’s post for five years and give the deputy post to other five.”
Palolem Councilor Simon Rebello felt that it may be difficult to hold for long all the 10 or even nine councilors together even for one year let alone five years and expressed that a group of seven could possibly be the best option.
Bhagatwada/Sawantwada Councilor Ajit (Ajay) Bhagat said: “Only the elected members should sit together and work-out a solution instead of allowing others to poke their noses.”
