Team Herald
PANJIM: The new mayor and deputy of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) will be elected at a special meeting convened at 11am on Tuesday, after the corporators-elect take oath. Various standing committees will also be elected the same day.
It was not yet known who will be the new mayor and the deputy as Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate has decided to leave it to the BJP-backed 25 corporators-elect to choose among themselves. In the 30-member CCP, the BJP-backed enjoys 25 seats.
When contacted, Monserrate said, “Unlike in the past, this time I have decided to leave it to them to choose the name for mayor and deputy mayor’s post. Let them choose democratically,” Monserrate said.
Asked whether there were more aspirants for the posts given the fact that the majority panel comprises corporators-elect from both – supporters of the Panjim MLA and the BJP – Monserrate said, “After election results I had a dinner meeting with all my 30 candidates on Wednesday. I will again meet them within the next two days to know their choice for both the posts.”
During an informal chat with media persons at the Goa Assembly Complex, Porvorim on Wednesday, Monserrate had said that the party will decide who will be the next mayor and the deputy mayor.
When pressed further, Monserrate had said that anybody from 24 candidates will be the mayor dropping enough hints that the outgoing mayor Uday Madkaikar will not be given another chance.
When it was pointed out that BJP-backed panel has 25 corporators-elect and if he deliberately left out one corporator’s name, Monserrate said, “Those people who had been given a chance earlier will not be repeated again. Now, new people should be given a chance.”
Both, mayor and deputy mayor’s post are not reserved and open for all.
The dates for special meeting to elect chairperson and vice chairpersons of Pernem, Valpoi, Bicholim, Cuncolim, Curchorem-Cacora and Canacona municipal councils is likely announced to be on Friday.
