OLD GOA
Corlim sarpanch Baptist Pereira was ousted by 5-0 votes in a no-confidence motion even as he cried foul over the presence of a large number of villagers while citing it as a law and order situation.
The no-confidence motion was held after five of the nine panchas -- Deputy Sarpanch Supriya Kerkar, Goraknath Kerkar, Kashinath Gaonkar, Freeda Po and Pradnya Shirvoikar -- moved it. Even though all members of the panchayat were present, only the five panchas who moved the motion voted in favour of the motion while the other four including Pereira remained outside. Pereira was then declared ousted by 5-0 votes.
Later, speaking to reporters, panch Goraknath Kerkar said that all the five signatories voted in favour of the motion while the remaining panchas remained absent. Kerkar, however, said that there was no question of any law and order as nobody was threatened.
But, ousted sarpanch Pereira opined that the presence of the crowd was an indication that they were brought there for a purpose. “Hence, I filed an objection with the panchayat secretary citing that there was law and order situation as there were more than 80 persons present inside and outside the panchayat. However, the panchayat secretary refused to accept it,” Pereira stated and added that he would file his objections with the higher authorities.
Pereira then agreed that his ouster was the fallout of the recent episode of the ouster of deputy sarpanch in a no-confidence motion. The deputy sarpanch thereafter got re-elected in the ensuing election. A large number of police personnel from Old Goa police station were present.
