Team Herald
MAPUSA: Six panch members of Socorro Panchayat, who have moved no confidence motion against Sarpanch Sandeep Vazarkar and Deputy Sarpanch Deepali Satardekar, fear misuse of government machinery to sabotage the process.
The six panchas pointed out that in case of Salvador do Mundo Panchayat, which was toppled by BJP-backed panchas, had entire process of ousting the old sarpanch and installing the new sarpanch within seven days, whereas in case of Socorro, the time lapse between no confidence motion and meeting to discuss, it is 13 days.
The authorities have called for a special meeting on October 5, to discuss the no confidence motion moved against Sandeep and Deepali.
Sanjay Pednekar alleged the BJP government will try its best to ensure that the meeting is sabotaged, similar to what happened in Siridao Panchayat, recently.
Addressing a press conference along with other panch members Sandeep Manjrekar, Reshma Morajkar, Maya Keni and Rovlu Parsekar, Sanjay fear that the Block Development Officer or Panchayat Secretary may remain absent on the day of the meeting, when the motion would be discussed.
He has appealed to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to “intervene in the matter” and ensure that justice is prevailed and action is taken on the sarpanch for the alleged scams and illegalities done by him.
Highlighting the case of Salvador do Mundo Panchayat, Sandeep said, “The entire process was finished in seven days. The no confidence motion on Sandeep Salgaonkar and Reena Fernandes was moved on June 25, while on the same day, the BDO issued notice of no confidence to the panchayat. On June 30, both the sarpanch and deputy resigned from the post on their own. The meeting was called on July 2.”
“Two yardsticks are used for the panchayats in the same constituency, which raises the doubt that the process may be sabotaged, the way they had done in case of Siridao-Pale Panchayat, where BJP panel was defeated,” he added.
The six panchayat members claimed that they are apolitical and has no affiliation to any political party.
“We are not affiliated to any political party and functioning as an independent. That is why I request the Chief Minister, who is head of the State to ensure that the process is not derailed,” Sanjay said.
“If the government plays dirty, we have already kept a plan ready of approaching the court for justice,” he said.
