PANJIM: Three days after the ruling panel of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) unanimously nominated Uday Madkaikar for the Panjim Mayor’s post, the latter in an unprecedented move opted out of the race citing personal reasons. Madkaikar conveyed his decision to former MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, who is now looking for an alternative name for the post.
“I met Babush and conveyed to him my decision. I have withdrawn from this race due to personal reasons which I would not like to disclose. I thank all the 14 councilors for proposing my name unanimously,” he said.
The ruling panel will now have to look for another candidate for the post. When Herald contacted Monserrate, he said he will announce the name a day before the date for the poll of Mayor’s post. “I will decide the new face a day before the election date for Mayor’s post is announced,” he said.
While speculation regarding Madkaikar’s withdrawal is rife, there is also the possibility that his name figuring in the CCP market scam and the 2008 Panjim police station attack, could have forced him to take the decision.
In the 2011 market scam, the complainant had accused Madkaikar – currently CCP market committee chairman – of taking around Rs 3 lakh for allotting a shop in the market but giving it away to another person.
