Straight fight on cards for CMC chief post
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, JUNE 15
A straight fight is on the cards to elect the next chairperson of Canacona Municipal Council on Tuesday, as two councilors filed three sets of nomination papers for the post.
Former chairperson Divaker Pagui who came into the dragnet of CBI in an attempt bribe Customs sleuths, is expected to visit Canacona municipality after a gap of six months to vote and elect a new chairperson, following special permission from jail authorities to vote for the next chairperson.
CMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes said that he has received three nomination papers on Monday.
Ponsulem Councilor Shansunder Dessai, who is a favourite to occupy the coveted chair, filed two sets of papers each proposed by councilors from the ruling group, one by former chairperson Ranghanath Naik Gaunkar and other by Deputy Chairperson Dilip Kenkre.
Former chairperson Sameer Dessai and now a member of four opposition councilors has also filed his nominations in the elections. Santosh Gaunkar proposed his nomination.
The election was necessitated after former chairperson Divaker Pagui submitted his resignation last month.
According to CO Fernandes, Quepem Municipality Chief Officer Shivaji Dessai will be the presiding officer for the elections on Tuesday.
Incidentally, the six-member group of councilors in the 10-member council has one of their members languishing in judicial custody throwing the entire equation interesting to be watched.
According to sources, in the event of election, which is very imperative in this case (as two candidates are in fray), a winning candidate should get a minimum of six votes. However, it requires majority of the strength of the house and not of the floor to declare a winning candidate.
With one councilor in jail, the strength of the floor could be nine with the ruling outfit enjoying support of just five. Another one councilor is needed to see their candidate through, while opposition declares their flock of four councilors as totally intact, having no room for poaching.
Having no other option, it is learnt that Divakar Pagui will be visiting the Canacona municipality on Tuesday with special permission from jail authorities to vote for the next chairperson.
