File photo of the BJP forming the Margao Municipal Council on October 12, 2022.
MARGAO
Discontentment seemed brewing up in the ruling BJP camp controlling the Margao Municipal Council.
Days after ruling BJP Councillor Camilo Barretto called for a replacement of incumbent MMC Chairperson Damu Shirodkar on the ground the civic Chief has completed 15 months in office, a couple of Councillors seemed up in arms over the delay in fulfilling the promises made to them in lieu of their support to the BJP-backed Council.
Sources in the know informed that a couple of Councillors, who were promised jobs for their siblings by the BJP leaders, including Cong-turned-BJP Margao MLA Digambar Kamat has found themselves high and dry in the scheme of things.
Leave alone providing jobs to their siblings in the Margao Municipal body as LDCs, promises to employ them in other government departments has failed to materialize till date.
“We have waited with patience for the last 15 months, giving enough time for the party leaders to fulfill the promises made to us. Till date, however, the leaders have failed to honour their word in giving jobs to our children” , remarked a ruling Councillor.
In fact, the Councillor informed that he along with another Councillor would call on MLA Digambar Kamat to find out the prospects of their siblings getting the promised jobs in the civic body or any other government department in the near future.
“Let us wait and see what reply the Margao MLA gives us during our interaction with him. If no firm assurance comes from the Margao MLA, we will take the future course of action”, threatened the ruling Councilor.
It’s now 15 months since the BJP’s Lotus bloomed in the Margao civic body after a gap of 17 long years after the return of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat back in the ruling party fold.
Sources pointed out that a couple of Councillors were promised jobs to their siblings in the MMC in lieu of their support to the ruling party in forming the Council on October 21, 2022.
Take note, the Margao Municipal Council had issued an advertisement to fill up the vacant posts, including LDCs, but the process was scrapped at the instructions of the Director, Urban Development on the ground the posts will be filled up through the Staff Selection Commission.
With the BJP ruling group completing 15 months in the MMC since Chairperson Damu Shirodkar was elected to the post on October 12 following a change in the voting rules from secret ballot to raising of hands, voices have been heard in the ruling camp either on the question of change in leadership or on the question of fulfilling the job promises made to certain ruling Councilors in lieu of their support to the ruling body.
