The Sancoale panchayat has 11 members, but it was reduced to ten after member Gilbert Rodrigues resigned due to his recent election as a ZP member from Sancoale constituency. This is the first time in the panchayat’s present term that nine members have united to overthrow the sarpanch.
The panch members said they filed the no-confidence motion as Meti’s resignation had been submitted to the BDO instead of the Director or Dy Director of Panchayats, and so the resignation may not stand in the eyes of the law.
“Meti was given the opportunity to be sarpanch with the intention that he would take the members into confidence before taking any decision. However, he not only failed to take us in confidence, but also failed to bring about development. He played games even after resigning, which hurt all of us,” said panch member Ramakant Borkar.
The panch members also accused Meti of not keeping his promises. They said his dubious intentions were proved when he refused to step down from the post after his term ended on June 7. They also alleged that he betrayed their trust by going to the press and accusing the members of forcing him to resign.
“After completion his term, Meti told us he would not like to continue as sarpanch, but after giving resignation, he told the media that members forced him to resign. Thus, we got upset and decided to move a no-trust motion against him,” said Borkar.
