BICHOLIM
The political drama intensified at Sankhali Municipal Council (SMC) after a Congress-backed councillor was served a notice on Thursday evening, directing him to appear before the Urban Development Minister in Mormugao on Friday, which virtually coincides with the no-confidence motion against the BJP-backed SMC chairperson.
While councillor Raya Parsekar has been directed to appear for a hearing before the minister at Mormugao at 12.30 pm, the no-confidence motion against SMC Chairperson Yashwant Madkar will come up for discussion in Sankhali at 2.30 pm.
Attempts to disqualify Parsekar assume significance given the fact that the Congress-backed ‘Together for Sankhali’ panel has 7 councillors, while the BJP-backed panel has six in the 13-member SMC.
In a notice served to Parsekar at his residence on Thursday evening, the office of the minister for urban development stated that the petitioner, Yeshwant Madkar, had filed a petition dated April 12 against the respondent, Raya Parsekar, under Section 44 of the Goa Municipalities Act.
Stating that the competent authority has passed an order in the matter, the notice reads: “Heard the petitioner. Fix matter for hearing on April 16 at 12.30 pm at the official residence of the Minister of Urban Development Milind Naik at “E” Type Bungalow of electricity department, Bogda, opposite Institute of Shipbuilding Technology. Issue notice accordingly, to be served through the chief officer of SMC.”
The notice further states that the parties are directed to remain present in person or through their duly authorised agent for the hearing. “Take notice that in case of failure to comply as aforesaid, the matter will be taken up, heard and decided in your absence,” the notice adds.
The move to direct Parsekar to attend a hearing in Mormugao barely 2 hours before the no-confidence motion against SMC Chairperson Madkar in faraway Sankhali has been denounced by the ‘Together for Sankhali’ panel.
The panel has alleged it is “yet another attempt by BJP to thwart the democratic process, to keep away ‘Together for Sankhali’ panel from proving their majority.”
Incidentally, the BJP-backed panel had made an attempt to disqualify another Congress-backed councillor Rajesh Sawal.
However, the matter was challenged in the High Court which granted relief to Sawal, granting a stay on the disqualification till April 19, thereby enabling Sawal to take part in the no-confidence motion against Madkar.
Meanwhile, Madkar is also reported to have filed a complaint with the Bicholim police station against Parsekar, but details of the complaint were not available.
