MARGAO: Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai’s proposal to have the Margao Municipal Council chairperson’s post by rotation has received mixed response from the public at large who insisted that the work of the people ought to be done first.
Former councilor Auda Viegas said she does not know how this whole rotation would work.
She said, “The chairperson will not get time to implement any new idea or proposal as by the time it is ready to be launched he would have finished his term as the chairperson. The council has to work together to do the work as demanded by the people and hence I do not think this proposal to occupy that position in rotation is a good idea.”
Convener of Shadow Council for Margao and former chairperson Savio Coutinho lamented that the previous council despite have the full term of five years could not do anything and people’s wishes were thwarted.
He hoped the new system of rotation may be advantageous for the council so that people of Margao get justice and appealed to whoever becomes the chairperson to immediately stop the baling of plastic at the old fish market and start the work on the parking facility there to ease the traffic in Margao.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sharmad Raiturkar did not wish to comment on the rotation proposal but insisted that the council should function properly and people of Margao should not suffer. “The chairperson’s post is not something to be occupied for personal benefit but should be to serve the people,” he said.
He pointed out that the pre monsoon work in Margao has been abandoned mid way and gutters or storm drains are not cleaned properly and opined that like last year this year too Margao will be flooded in the monsoons.
Damodar Naik who was the chairman of the Vibrant Margao panel floated by the BJP for the elections said the proposal is an indication that there is distrust amongst the alliance partners and that is why they want to adopt a tactic of giving everyone a chance to occupy the position.
“If giving everyone a chance is their logic then why is the same person becoming the MLA time and again, give others a chance and even the Chief Minister’s post should be held on rotation,” he said.
Pratik Parab a former journalist who had contested the council elections said it was a good proposal which may invigorate the council as every new chairperson will come with different ideas and bring in fresh blood.
“Besides Margao and Fatorda areas will receive equal attention as the chairperson will rotate from these two constituencies,” he said asserting that it was a good proposal according to him.
Aam Aadmi Party Vice President Pratima Coutinho who was a councilor earlier said “this appears to be a marriage of convenience”.
