CANACONA: Mario do Socorro ‘Simon’ Rebello was elected Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) chairperson on Thursday.
Rebello defeated Pandurang ‘Dhiraj’ Naik Gaonkar by 7-5 vote margin. Councillor Amita Pagi was elected vice-chairperson after defeating Supriya Dessai by 7-5 votes.
Soon after Rebello and Pagi were declared elected, the ruling panel said that they owe their allegiance to the BJP.
Besides Rebello and Pagi, councillors Ramakant Naik Gaonkar, Sara Naik Desai, Laxman Pagui, Narsico Fernandes, Gandesh Madgaonkar and Hemant Naik Gaonkar along with Deputy Speaker Isidore Fernandes and Canacona BJP Mandal president Nandip Bhagat later proceeded to Panjim and met State BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
It may be recalled that on March 22, all 12 newly-elected councillors along with the Deputy Speaker met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Tanavade, party general secretary Satish Dhond and others in Panjim and claimed that belonged to the BJP.
Two days later, some councillors expressed their resentment over the party’s choice for chairperson’s post and formed a majority group and chose Simon Rebello as their leader.
On the same day, eight councillors proceeded to Porvorim and met Isidore and informed him about their decision.
Though Fernandes initially expressed his displeasure over their decision but later agreed on the condition that they remain loyal to the BJP.
It is learnt that Fernandes wanted councillor Dhiraj Naik Gaonkar to be the chairperson.
Dhiraj claimed that he and Supriya Desai filed their nominations for chairperson and vice chairperson’s post as per party instructions.
