MARGAO
The Goa Forward Party will play the role of a Big Brother in the Margao civic body by virtue of winning more seats in the civic polls. The Margao Civic Alliance (MCA) finally unveiled its candidates for the post of Margao Municipal Chairperson and vice-Chairperson on Tuesday ahead of the elections scheduled on Thursday.
While two-time Goa Forward-backed Councillor Lyndon Pereira has been nominated for the post of Chairperson, Opposition leader Digambar Kamat-backed Model Margao’s first-time councillor Deepali Sawal will contest the election for the Vice-chairperson’s post.
The names of Lyndon and Deepali were proposed at a meeting of the MCA-backed councillors, which was presided by Kamat and Sardesai at a city hotel on Tuesday evening.
Two councillors from the Kamat camp and strong contenders for the Chairperson’s post, Ganashyam Shirodkar and two-time councillor Damu Shirodkar were conspicuous by their absence.
As per the arrangement worked out by Kamat and Sardesai, sources said the post of Chairperson will be rotated amongst the aspirants from both groups with a fixed term of one year and a half. It has been decided that candidates proposed by the Goa Forward will occupy the chair for the first 15 months and at the fag end of the current term.
Both Kamat and Sardesai cleared the air of uncertainty over the MCA’s candidature for the two posts on Tuesday after a day of hectic developments and meeting in the two camps.
Sources said Sardesai first had an interaction with his nine councillors in the morning. After zeroing in on Lyndon Pereira, Sardesai headed to the residence of the Opposition Leader and conveyed GF’s decision to prop up Lyndon for the coveted post.
The duo decided to announce the names of the Chairperson and Vice-chairperson at a joint meeting of the councillors from both camps.
Around noon, Kamat called for a meeting of his group of eight councillors to discuss the leadership issue, and he proposed the name of first-time councillor Deepali Sawal for the post.
