MARGAO
After the Davorlim Sarpanch election ended in uproar, social activist Pratima Coutinho accused BJP Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuemkar of being behind the controversy ” an allegation swiftly dismissed by the BJP-backed group led by ex--Sarpanch Saiesh Rajadyax.
Pratima alleged that BDO Adarsh Desai acted under pressure from the BJP MLA, questioning the officer’s sudden reversal of decision within minutes. “Why would the BDO cancel the election and then try to revive the process within 15 minutes? We saw a similar situation at the neighbouring Rumdamol Village Panchayat, where elections for the posts of Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch were disrupted after the presiding officers reported sick,” she said.
However, BJP-backed panchayat leader Saiesh Rajadyax rubbished the allegations, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.”
“Where is the question of pressure from the MLA when the BDO had only cancelled the election due to the demise of the Agriculture Minister? The only direction from the party was that BJP-backed members should vote for our nominated candidates for Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch,” Saiesh clarified.
Candidates in race
for vacant posts
The BJP-backed group had fielded and nominated Vidyadar Verlekar and Sampada Naik for the post Sarpanch and deputy Sarpanch respectively.
From the non-BJP side, Menino Colaco had filed his nomination papers for the post and Sarpanch and Francisco Dias for deputy Sarpanch.
The process had almost reached the election stage with none of the candidates withdrawing from the fray at the time for withdrawal of nomination papers.
