TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: In an interesting development on the leadership tangle plaguing the Margao civic body, the
nine-member opposition group on Saturday has decided to contest elections for the vacant post of
municipal vice chairperson scheduled on April 2.
The decision was arrived at a meeting of the group which was attended by Margao MLA Digambar
Kamat and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai. This is the first time that both Digambar and Vijai had an
interaction with the nine member group in the wake of leadership tussle amongst the 11-member ruling
group.
After the meeting, Vijai told newsmen that the nine-member group was of the unanimous opinion that
one amongst them should contest elections for the post of vice chairperson.
He, however, asserted that the both he and Digambar were of the firm opinion that the MLAs should not
interfere in the civic functioning and leave matters relating to leadership for the City Fathers to decide.
“We were invited by the nine councillors for guidance how to go about the matter. The meeting
discussed issues relating to the ongoing leadership imbroglio plaguing the Civic body”, he said.
Sources in the know said the five member anti-Arthur group within the ruling group may not be opposed
to back a candidate from the opposition group to teach the Municipal chairperson a lesson. Sources
said that the five-member group is believed to be even ready to back Berta Cardozo from the 9-member
group, who owes allegiance to the Fatorda MLA
The anti-Arthur group within the ruling group says the immediate task before them is to defeat the
candidate fielded by Arthur and his coterie to prove that the chairperson has lost majority in the 20-
member civic body and demand his resignation on moral grounds.
While Arthur has announced that his group will field Dadi Mayenkar for the vacant post, the anti-Arthur
group within the ruling group is bracing up to back Berta’s candidature.
The last day to file nomination papers for the vacant post is Monday noon. Elections will be held on
Tuesday.
