Former MLA and Vice President of BJP, Glenn Ticlo breaks the traditional coconut to launch works in Aldona.
MAPUSA
In complete disregard to protocol, the Zilla Panchayat office invited former MLA and Vice President of BJP, Glenn Ticlo to launch works in the Aldona constituency ignoring the current MLA, Carlos Ferreira.
On Tuesday, ex-MLA Glenn Ticlo along with ZP members Diksha Kandolkar, Manisha Naik and other BJP leaders broke the traditional coconut to launch the commencement of construction of retaining wall, road and other works worth around Rs 15 lakh in the constituency.
The move not to invite the current Aldona MLA did not go down with the supporters of the MLA and became a talking point in the constituency.
Ferreira said he was shocked when he came to know about the function through a message that was circulating on social media last night.
“It is surprising the MLA of the constituency is not invited but an ex-MLA is. They could have called him in addition but they can’t omit me. The Zilla Panchayat elections may be fought on party lines but similarly, State assembly elections are also fought on party lines. Secondly, public funds are being used to do the work. You cannot afford to call an ex-MLA and not the sitting MLA,” Ferreira said.
He said considering the presence of the dignitaries at the function it appeared this was like a party function at the cost of the state exchequer.
The Chief Executive Officer of North Goa Zilla Panchayat, Gaurish Sankwalkar washed his hands off the faux pas stating that ZP’s technical team was responsible to send invites for the functions.
“I have instructed my technical team to invite the MLAs of whichever political parties they may belong to because we are doing work in the constituency where they are representing as MLAs,” Sankwalkar said.
“This particular incident came to my notice late last night and the function was next morning,” he added.
Meanwhile, at the function, ex-MLA Glenn Ticlo said that the work launched was approved during his term and could not be taken up due to the election code.
“These works were passed before the elections but due to the code of conduct we could not take it up. In all, four works have been taken up which were approved earlier but we are commencing the work today,” Ticlo said.
On Tuesday, ex-MLA Glenn Ticlo along with ZP members Diksha Kandolkar, Manisha Naik and other BJP leaders broke the traditional coconut to launch the commencement of construction of retaining wall, road and other works worth around Rs 15 lakh in the constituency.
The move not to invite the current Aldona MLA did not go down with the supporters of the MLA and became a talking point in the constituency.
Ferreira said he was shocked when he came to know about the function through a message that was circulating on social media last night.
“It is surprising the MLA of the constituency is not invited but an ex-MLA is. They could have called him in addition but they can’t omit me. The Zilla Panchayat elections may be fought on party lines but similarly, State assembly elections are also fought on party lines. Secondly, public funds are being used to do the work. You cannot afford to call an ex-MLA and not the sitting MLA,” Ferreira said.
He said considering the presence of the dignitaries at the function it appeared this was like a party function at the cost of the state exchequer.
The Chief Executive Officer of North Goa Zilla Panchayat, Gaurish Sankwalkar washed his hands off the faux pas stating that ZP’s technical team was responsible to send invites for the functions.
“I have instructed my technical team to invite the MLAs of whichever political parties they may belong to because we are doing work in the constituency where they are representing as MLAs,” Sankwalkar said.
“This particular incident came to my notice late last night and the function was next morning,” he added.
Meanwhile, at the function, ex-MLA Glenn Ticlo said that the work launched was approved during his term and could not be taken up due to the election code.
“These works were passed before the elections but due to the code of conduct we could not take it up. In all, four works have been taken up which were approved earlier but we are commencing the work today,” Ticlo said.
