PERNEM
A sudden political turn of events over control of the key Mandrem panchayat led to Mahesh Konadkar being hit by a no-confidence motion barely 24 hours after getting elected as sarpanch.
This development is seen as a battle between Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar and former Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte to establish their control in the panchayat.
As many as seven panchas “ Prashant Naik, Tara Hadfadkar, Michelle Sharon Fernandes, Robert Fernandes, Kiran Sawant, Minguel Fernandes and Amit Sawant “ moved the no-confidence motion against Konadkar before the Pernem BDO Manish Kedar.
The Mandrem Panchayat consists of Amit Sawant, Prashant Naik, Mahesh Konadkar, Tara Hadfadkar, Rajesh Mandrekar, Michelle Sharon Fernandes, Kiran Sawant, Robert Fernandes, Chetna Pednekar, Minguel Fernandes and Sampada Asgavkar.
The Pernem BDO has now convened a special panchayat meeting on August 29 at 11 am to discuss the no-confidence motion against the sarpanch.
When contacted, Sarpanch Mahesh Konadkar refused to comment in the matter.
Reacting to the developments, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said he had never indulged in open panchayat politics.
“When the Sarpanch was elected, the former MLA announced that panchayats were affiliated to him but the reality is visible only today,” said Arolkar.
Meanwhile, the newly elected members of several panchayats took oath of office in their respective BDO offices.
As many as 123 panchas from 17 panchayats in Bicholim taluka took the oath of panch membership at the Bicholim Block Development Office on Tuesday.
In Canacona, all 59 newly elected panchas of seven panchayats took oath as members of panchayats. They were administered the oath in three different groups on linguistic basis. While some opted for Konkani, a few opted for English and most others opted for Marathi.
Elections of Sarpanch and deputy Sarpanch for 186 panchayats were held on Monday.
