MAPUSA: Socorro panchas, who recently ousted sarpanch Sandeep Vazarkar and deputy sarpanch, have raised apprehensions over the delay in convening a meeting to elect the new panchayat head.
Panch Sandeep Manjrekar accused the authorities of delaying in convening the meeting to elect a new chief for Socorro Panchayat and alleged that the delay is purposeful with the intention to gain time to threaten/buy panchas and reinstate Vazarkar as sarpanch.
Manjrekar claimed that the panchas will not fall prey to such tactics as they stand by their intent to keep “corrupt” Vazarkar from occupying the sarpanch’s post.
“We are united under the leadership of local MLA Rohan Khaunte. The fight is against inefficiency and corruption,” Manjrekar said.
He said the authorities were on overdrive when Salvador do Mundo sarpanch was ousted, while in the case of Socorro, the process is moving at a snail’s pace.
Manjrekar alleged that there was complete interference of the Chief Minister and the State government in the entire process.
“The government by ignoring such a blatant injustice on the elected body is supporting the illegalities of the sarpanch,” Manjrekar alleged and threatened that they will be forced to take legal recourse, if the government takes their silence for granted.
“If there is delay, the panchas will hold corner meetings across all 11 wards exposing the government. The administrator, who is appointed by the panchayat, has been visiting the office only for half-an-hour, thereby inconveniencing people,” he claimed.
