the goan I network
MARGAO
As the stage is set for the filing of nomination papers to elect the fifth South Goa Zilla Panchayat, beginning from Thursday, the district panchayat body will certainly miss the presence of these two familiar women faces, both former chairpersons from the Salcete coastal belt
Both Nelly Rodrigues and Maria Rebello, who represented the Colva and Benaulim ZP constituencies, emerged leaders in their own right, rising up to head the Zilla Panchayat body.
Amongst the duo, Nelly had been representing the South ZP body since 2000, having never lost any election and heading the body twice in her two-decade-old association with the district panchayat body.
Maria, on the hand, had been a member of the ZP body for three terms and rose to become the Chairperson during her stint spanning a decade and a half.
Both Nelly and Maria reiterate that the powers that be have deliberately kept them out of the electoral race by reserving the Benaulim and Colva ZP seats for the OBC.
Says Nelly Rodrigues: “I was taken aback when the reservation notification declared Colva seat for the OBC. I still believe it was a deliberate ploy to keep me out so that the powers that be have their own person as the South Goa ZP Chairperson. But, I will continue my work for the people of Colva constituency and Goa”.
Though some of her workers had suggested that Nelly contest from Sancoale ZP constituency, she has turned down the request. “I am due for promotion as the college principal. And, I have decided to continue my association with panchayats”.
Like Nelly, her Benaulim counterpart Maria Rebello also feels that she has been deliberately kept out of the ensuing election by reserving the seat for OBC to ensure that the senior women members do not stake claim for the top post.
Maria made no bones of the fact that the South Goa Zilla Panchayat had been her second home and the ZP staff and employees members her extended family. “Since I had been a member of the ZP body for 15 long years, there was bonding between me and the ZP staff and employees,” she said.
Maria, however, pointed out that she would continue her social work, saying no one knows what lies in store for her in the future. “I will continue my work for the society. If there’s God’s plan for me, I may return back to the Zilla Panchayat body in the future,” she added.
