Team Herald
MARGAO: With the tenure of the Chairperson of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) Lyndon Pereira coming to an end, the race is on for the next councillor to take his coveted post.
However, there is yet to be an agreement amongst the ruling group of councillors as to whom should be chosen the next Chairperson.
It may be recalled that as per the rotation policy amongst the ruling group of councillors, Pereira’s tenure comes to an end this Sunday, August 28, and he is expected to step down this week or just before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Pereira, a Goa Forward Party (GFP) councillor is part of the Margao Civil Alliance, which has the combined strength of councillors from two groups, one that is backed by the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and the second that is backed by the Fatorda MLA and GFP President Vijai Sardesai.
While it is the turn of the Kamat backed-group to nominate their councillor for the post, according to sources, some differences have emerged in the ruling group for the name of veteran councillor Damu Shirodkar, who is the choice of the Margao MLA. Sources added that another councillor from Kamat’s group Sagun Naik may be pushed for the post instead.
Incidentally, when Pereira became the Chairperson, he enjoyed the support of the ruling group as well as the then independent candidate Mahesh Amonkar. However, at present, Amonkar has joined the BJP and so has Sweta Lotlikar, who was with the GFP group.
Another veteran councillor Ghanshyam Shirodker had left the Kamat group and is an independent councillor at present, but he is also interested in the post of Chairperson but would require support from the remaining GFP and BJP group of councillors. The chances of that happening are slim as GFP has assured support to the Kamat group but until the new face has been agreed upon, nothing can be ruled out.
