MARGAO
Seasoned Margao MLA Digambar Kamat is facing an acid test to his leadership to keep his flock together and then ensure the support of Margao Civic Alliance (MCA) partner Goa Forward to have his man at the Margao Municipal Chairperson’s saddle.
For, while Kamat is believed to be pushing the candidature of two-time councillor Damu Shirodkar for the vacant post of MMC chairperson, a couple of councillors belonging to his Model Margao group have expressed their reservations on the choice of candidate.
The Margao MLA, who had been having meetings with individual councillors aligned to his Model Margao group, is believed to have maintained that he is backing Damu’s candidature for the reason that he had given a word to make the two-time councillor the Chairperson after 15 months.
Sources wondered whether Kamat had succeeded in persuading the seven-member Model Margao group to rally behind Damu’s candidature. Questions are being raised whether Kamat would continue to back Damu’s candidature despite reservations expressed by the Model Margao’s councillors.
“When I was called by Kamat, I explained to him that Damu’s candidature was not acceptable to the group. But, the MLA insisted on supporting Damu, saying he had given a word to make him the chairperson,” informed a councillor, insisting they are all ardent supporters of the Margao MLA, but are not happy with the choice of the candidate for the MMC chairperson’s post.
Even if the Margao MLA uses all his political acumen and experience to persuade Model Margao councillors to rally behind Damu’s candidature, he has another major task at hand “ to convince Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai to ensure that all the eight Fatorda Forward-backed councillors back Damu’s candidature.
For, reports emanating from the Goa Forward camp indicates that a couple of councillors are vehemently opposed to Damu’s candidature. In fact, this group of councillors have expressed their sentiments to the Goa Forward Party chief, even threatening to vote against the Kamat-backed candidate for the coveted seat.
In fact, this group of Goa Forward councillors have openly aligned with former chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar, who is making a determined bid to return back to the saddle. “We have our stand very clear to our party chief Vijai Sardesai that we will not vote for the Kamat-backed candidate. We are certain that Sardesai will understand our sentiments and give us a free hand to vote for the next MMC chairperson,” informed a Goa Forward-backed councillor.
It’s not known whether Kamat will try to garner support from the nine-member BJP-backed group in the civic body to have his man at the helm of the civic body.
However, senior BJP-backed councillor Sadanand Naik has gone to the town saying that the BJP-backed councillor will not support the Kamat-backed candidate for the post of chairperson, even in the event Kamat joins the BJP before or after the election for the post of MMC chairperson.
“I am the senior BJP-backed councillor in the group. Party leaders should back me for the post if the leadership decides that the BJP should contest election for the MMC chairperson’s post,” Sadanand added.
Director of Municipal Administration Gurudas Pilarnekar is likely to announce the election scheduled on Monday, with sources saying the vacant post of MMC chairperson may be filled up later next week.
