Team Herald
PANJIM: The no-confidence motion against Siridao-Pale Sarpanch Jagdish Gauns was passed amidst a lot of tension and drama, on Friday morning.
The problems arose when the public found the panchayat door locked at a time when the no-confidence motion was scheduled to be held. The police had locked the door claiming that theft had taken place there and stopped the Panchayat Secretary from opening the office for conducting no confidence motion.
They justified the same claiming they needed to investigate the alleged robbery. Finally, after huge hue and cry, the meeting was held outside the panchayat office and no confidence motion was passed.
Earlier, the matter was raised in the Assembly by the Opposition following which the Chief Minister assured the House to direct police to allow the secretary to conduct the panchayat meeting.
“The police stopped the members from passing a no-confidence motion against Jagdish Gauns, sarpanch backed by MLA Francis Silveira, this is a complete collapse of law and order,” said Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat also informed the House that his vehicle was stopped by the villagers of Siridao who asked for his intervention into the issue.
However, speaking to the media persons later, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira denied all the allegations or involvement and called for action as to why the door was locked.
