VASCO
An unusual situation has prevailed at Desterro ward in Vasco, with unhappy locals accusing the local councillor and legislator, both from the BJP, of being at loggerheads which has deprived them of services and facilities in the ward.
Speaking to reporters, a visibly upset Ravlu Pednekar said ward councillor Ramchandra Kamat, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) had failed to do his job and had been engaging in unnecessary politics.
"Kamat is a member of the BJP but is making statements against Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, who is also a BJP member and it looks like it's a BJP vs BJP feud in our area. Kamat does not even attend meetings with MLA Sankalp Amonkar," said Pednekar.
Another resident Seby D’Souza said after persistent requests, the internal roads were finally taken up by Sankalp Amonkar.
"Every time we call him, Kamat asks us to contact Amonkar, because we had been supporters of Amonkar. Our works are not done and he must realise that he is the councillor of the entire ward," said D'Souza.
Another resident, Sameer Khan, said the people had been struggling with waterlogging in the gutters, which had led to a mosquito breeding site.
"Residents faced immense hardships and some even got dengue and we called Kamat but he did not entertain our calls. We finally tried to clear it ourselves using a JCB with the help of Sankalp Amonkar. This work should have been done by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) but it was not done,” complained Khan.
“The sewage chambers are damaged and sewage overflows in the gutter. There is waterlogging here but no one is bothered. The councillor should have done pre-monsoon works but he only says we must approach Sankalp Amonkar.”
"Both Amonkar and Kamat are in the BJP and they must work in coordination because ultimately the people suffer with both leaders at loggerheads. It looks like Mormugao has two BJPs, one of Sankalp and one of Kamat. We want development and we are not bothered about the politics that is going on between both of them," said Khan.
When contacted, MMC Vice Chairperson Ramchandra Kamat said he was aware of the allegations being levelled against him by locals in the ward and said he would respond to them very soon.
