VASCO: Aam Aadmi Party’s Mormugao Constituency block unit on Saturday condemned the State government’s reservations in municipal wards for the upcoming municipal elections.
The AAP blamed Urban Development Minister for sidelining women in the Mormugao Constituency and also expressed to write it to the State Election Commission and even go to the court if needed.
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In a press release, AAP Mormugao Constituency leader Parshuram Sonurlekar stated that the Urban Development Department have announced the reservations of wards for Mormugao Municipal Council along with other councils in the State. The Mormugao Municipal Council has total 25 seats and 12 reserved for various categories. There are total eight reservations for wards for women including two Other Backward Classes for women and three OBC and one Schedule Caste seat.
Sonurlekar expressed shock to find that there are no reservations for women this time in the Mormugao Constituency and most of the reservations for women are in the Vasco Constituency.
The AAP leader opined that the non-reservation of women is a matter of concern for the aspirant women candidates and also for the women as they can compete among themselves for the betterment of society and democracy at large.
“Mormugao Constituency as compared to last council elections had total three seats reserved for women and this time there is no single reservation for women. The MLA is wholly responsible for non-reservation of seats in Mormugao Municipal Council as he also heads the Urban Development portfolio,” said Sonurlekar.
Further, he charged that it seems that the MLA has a discriminating attitude towards the women as he has failed to develop leadership qualities among women and the Mormugao Constituency lacks women empowerment at large.
“There has been a history of Mormugao Constituency where women have been contesting elections on reserved seats and have been taking up their ward issues to the council and resolving it. But the Urban Dveleopment Minister has silently killed the voices of such women leaders and the aspirant. AAP condemn this reservation where the women have been sidelined as more manpower and muscle power is required for coming Assembly elections. AAP will write to the State Election Commission and if required approach the High court,” AAP leader Sonurlekar added.
