MARGAO
The Congress-backed ruling Cuncolim Municipal Council may soon witness a change in political guard as one of the ruling councillors, who had gone abroad, is expected to return home in the coming week.
In fact, exactly two years after incumbent Chairperson Laximan Naik was elected the Chairperson of the 14-member Cuncolim civic body, Naik is expected to step down from office and ensure a smooth transfer of power to his successor.
If sources are to be believed, Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao and former MLA Joaquim Alemao had a meeting with the ruling city fathers to take stock of the situation, more so since Chairperson Naik is completing two years in office.
The meeting was apparently convened since one of the councillors, who had gone abroad, is returning home early next week. Sources informed incumbent Chairperson may put in his papers after the arrival of the councillor from abroad. Sources further informed that former Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas has reportedly emerged as the consensus choice of the ruling group.
The Goan understands that the ruling group has been apparently waiting for the return of the councillor from abroad to ensure the group has a smooth sailing in the numbers game. The Congress-backed panel had romped home to victory in the 2021 Municipal polls with a clear majority, with the group winning nine out of the 14 seats at stake.
The ruling party’s tally, however, later came down to eight after councillor Udesh Desai quit the group following differences with Chairperson Naik over a host of issues. Sources said the father-son duo of Yuri and Joaquim did not take any chances in the numbers game and decided to wait for the councillor’s return.
