MARGAO
In unfolding political events, indicative of the realignment of political forces in the Margao Municipal Council, Independent Margao Municipal councillor Ganashyam Shirodkar sprang a major surprise when he filed his nomination papers for the vacant post of Margao Municipal Chairperson proposed by three BJP-backed councillors.
When questions were raised in political circles about how Ganashyam will get proposers for his candidature when the remaining 24 councillors are aligned either to BJP, Goa Forward or Digambar Kamat-backed Model Margao, he managed to get three proposers all from the BJP camp to throw his hat in the ring.
Day one of the election process for the MMC Chairperson’s post saw Ganashyam filing three sets of nomination papers proposed by BJP-backed councillors - Camilo Barreto, Mahesh Amonkar and Sunita Paradkar.
The sudden turn of events came a day after the BJP leaders had a meeting with the nine-member group of councillors, wherein it was decided to wait and watch before taking a decision.
Camilo Barretto and Mahesh Amonkar told The Goan that they have proposed the candidature of Ganashyam as an Independent candidate in the interest of the council and the city.
“We have not proposed Ganashyam’s candidature as BJP councillors, but as individuals for the betterment of the city. We had no brief from the party to take the decision, but have acted as individuals in the interest of the city”, Camilo said.
It is also unclear whether the remaining six BJP-backed councillors will extend support to Ganashyam after Tuesday's development.
Sources, however, pointed out that Ganashyam’s candidature is believed to have evoked support not only amongst the BJP-backed councillors, but a couple of councillors aligned to the Goa Forward are not averse to supporting the former chairperson, which is having an alliance with Margao MLA Digambar Kamat under the Margao Civic Alliance (MCA) banner.
