MARGAO
In fact, luck smiled on the face of this nurse and first time panch member as Sanjana was elected to the post of Dramapur-Sirlim Sarpanch by draw of lots in the election held on Monday.
In the seven-member body, the effective strength of the body is now reduced to six with Sanjana winning unopposed from two wards and that she is required to cast only one vote.
Her group was bracing up to face the worst, aware that the group had only three members in the six member body, with the remaining three members belonging to rival group.
As expected, the voting ended in a 3-3 tie and the presiding office resorting to draw of lots, which went in favour of Sanjana as she defeated former deputy sarpanch Natty Ferrao for the post of sarpanch, bringing smiles on
her and her group over the turn of events.
For the post of deputy sarpanch, however, Sanjana’s group was not lucky to
win the post. Former Sarpanch Olassic Rodrigues was elected deputy sarpanch after draw of lots.
Local observers now say the bye-election for the seat left vacant by Sanjana’s resignation from one of the two wards will now determine the stability of the 7-member body owning allegiance to Velim MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues. Sources say that in the event the bye-poll goes in favour of the ruling Sanjana group, than it may see the ouster of the deputy sarpanch, who belongs to the rival camp.
Alternatively, Sanjana’s group may be reduced to
a minority if the bye-election result goes in favour of the
opposition.
