Legislators’ writ runs large in Salcete countryside
the goan I network
MARGAO
While Churchill Alemao (Benaulim), Filipe Neri Rodrigues (Velim), Clafacio Dias (Cuncolim) and Wilfred D’Sa (Nuvem) have claimed that their supporters and workers are in the process of forming the panchayat bodies, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco preferred to offer no comments on claims made by his opponents that they are forming the panchayats at Camurlim and Curtorim. Navelim MLA and Congress president, Luizinho Faleiro said he is happy with the results, even as Navelim Zilla member Cipru Cardozo claimed that his panel has bagged majority seats in the 11-member Navelim Panchayat.
Benaulim
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao has claimed that his supporters have gained majority in all the seven panchayat bodies in Benaulim constituency, barring Carmona village.
He also announced that while sitting Colva sarpanch Menino Fernandes will be his nominee for the post of sarpanch, newly-elected Delia Pereira will contest the election for the post of sarpanch for Benaulim panchayat. He said the post of Benaulim sarpanch will be rotated amongst three women, with Delia Pereira to hold the post for two years.
“My supporters have won majority seats in Benaulim, Seraulim, Colva, Varca, Orlim and Cavelossim. As far as Carmona is concerned, one of my supporters, Sandra has got elected,” Churchill told the media in the presence of the newly-elected panchas at Varca on Tuesday evening.
He pointed out that barring Benaulim, Carmona and Colva, the remaining five panchayats were not with him during the Assembly election. “People of the constituency have voted for my supporters to rule the panchayats for the next five years. In Carmona, Sandra has won the election and she has said that three more will join the group. If they are coming well and good, otherwise I have no problem,” Churchill said.
Velim
Supporters of Velim MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues seem to have gained an upper hand in most of the panchayat bodies at Velim, Ambelim, Assolna, Chinchinim, Dramapur-Sirlim, Sarzora, Dicarpale and Sao Jose de Areal.
Sarpanchas owing allegiance to former MLA Benjamin D’Silva, including Velim sarpanch Melvyn Sanches and Assolna sarpanch Pedrina Cardozo have bit the dust. Many a panch member, who were in the past associated with the former MLA, have been shown the door in Assolna, Velim and Ambelim.
Filipe Neri claimed that though he did not field any panels in the panchayat election, his supporters and workers who were in the fray, put up an excellent performance by winning in their respective wards. “The newly elected panchas will all come to meet me and discuss how to go about. I am sure that our supporters will rule the panchayat bodies in the constituency,” he said.
Navelim
Moments after the election results were out, Navelim Zilla panchayat member Cipru Cardozo, who had contested the assembly election, claimed that his supporters have won in five out of the 11 wards of Navelim Panchayat.
Incumbent Navelim MLA, Luizinho Faleiro, claimed that his supporters have won in Navelim and Telaulim villages, adding that claims made by his supporters in the remaining panchayat bodies will be sorted out soon. “I am happy with the election result as our supporters have won in Navelim and Telaulim, besides Davorlim and Rumdamol. Even in Aquem-Baixo Panchayat, we are sorting out the issues,” he said.
Incidentally, while Cipru had claimed the support of five panchas elect, including former Navelim sarpanch Paul Pereira, Paul later called up The Goan to claim that his candidature was supported by both Cipru as well as by Faleiro.
Cuncolim
Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias told the media that his supporters have swept elections for the Paroda and Macazana panchayats, besides getting a clear majority in Guirdolim panchayat. “Our supporters have made a clean sweep at Paroda and Macazana panchayats. People have given us a clear mandate. We will form the panchayats at Paroda, Macazana and Guirdolim and I am confident that the people of Chandor will also support our candidates as and when counting of the votes is taken up of the panchayat on July 2,” he said.
Nuvem
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has claimed majority in the two panchayats of Verna and Nagoa, while saying that efforts are to form panchayats at Loutolim and Majorda.
A confident looking Wilfred pointed out his supporters will have a smooth sailing at Verna and Nagoa, while efforts are on to seek the support of the independents to form the panchayat at Majorda.
Though sitting majorda sarpanch, Moises Vaz, a known supporter of ex-MLA Mickky Pacheco has retained his seat, many a newly-elected panchas are believed to be independents.
Curtorim
Opponents of the Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco claimed outside the counting center that majority of the panchas elect in respect of Curtorim and Camurlim will form the panchayat bodies.
Reginaldo, however, preferred not to offer any comment, saying that though he did not field any panel, his supporters had contested the election on their own.
Former Curtorim deputy sarpanch Simon Barretto along with Milagres and Rui Menezes claimed that they have the numbers to form the new panchayat.
Former Camurlim sarpanch Basil Fernandes also claimed that his panel, which was not supported by the Curtorim MLA, will form the new panchayat body.
“I have nothing to comment if they are forming the panchayat bodies. I had made myself clear that I did not field any panel for the simple reason that many of our supporters had contested the election,” Reginaldo added.
