BICHOLIM
The drama surrounding the no-confidence motion moved by nine councillors against Bicholim Municipal Council (BMC) Chairperson Kundan Falari was resolved on Saturday, following the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP State President Sadanand Tanavade.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sawant said the no-confidence motion will be tabled on December 17, but not a single councillor will participate in the discussion,
Sawant added that the next strategy would be decided after holding another meeting and taking everyone into confidence.
The matter was discussed by Sawant, in the presence of Tanavade, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye, the Bicholim BJP Block, and all councillors.
The issue had erupted a few days ago when seven BJP councillors and two other councillors had moved a no-confidence motion against Falari.
However, there was some resentment over the fact that the BJP party and the Bicholim block of the party were not taken into confidence when the no-trust motion was filed.
After the chief minister himself voiced displeasure in the matter, a special meeting was convened in the presence of the Chief Minister. All 14 councillors were present at this meeting.
All councillors presented their respective positions before the chief minister and the State BJP president. Both Sawant and Tanavade took their issues into consideration and decided the resolve the matter.
The chief minister then suggested that no councillor should be present during the no-confidence debate scheduled for December 17, to ensure that the motion is defeated.
Tanavade said the BJP follows discipline and a special meeting was convened in the presence of the Chief Minister on Saturday to resolve any misunderstandings between the councillors
When contacted, Falari told reporters that it was now certain that the no-confidence motion would be rejected, but made it clear that he was ready to take whatever position the party decided.
Speaking to reporters, BMC Councillor Aniket Chanekar said, “The action we took without using the right process definitely created some resentment among the party. The BJP will take everyone along and all councillors are now united.”
