VASCO
Damodar Kaskar and Shradha Mahale have been virtually elected unopposed as chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively at the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC).
The BJP, which won 19 of 25 wards at MMC, also enjoys the support of two independent candidates in the council.
While Damodar Kaskar is backed by Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Shraddha Mahale has been backed by Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida and Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho.
Both candidates filed their nominations before MMC Chief Officer Jayant Tari on Wednesday in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP and BJP leader Vinay Tendulkar and other BJP-backed councillors.
Since they were the only councillors to file nominations, both Kaskar and Mahale are set to be elected unopposed, even though a special meeting to elect the chairperson and vice chairperson will be convened on Thursday.
Later speaking to reporters, Tendulkar said it was a unanimous decision by all 19 BJP-backed and 2 independent councillors that Damodar Kaskar and Shraddha Mahale be elected as chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively.
"The decision had been taken after a joint meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, all three BJP legislators and all BJP-backed candidates. Both these candidates will be elected unopposed and they will ensure the development of the port town," said Tendulkar.
"Both Kaskar and Mahale will have to work hard to revive the MMC which is struggling financially and start the recovery drive to collect pending dues. Staff salaries have risen from Rs 80 lakh to over Rs 1 crore after the 7th pay commission and with Octroi stopped, they will have to stress on every possible method to generate revenue for the MMC," said Tendulkar.
Both Damodar Kaskar and Shraddha Mahale also assured to work for the development of Vasco city by taking all councillors into confidence.
While Urban Development Minister Milind Naik’s panel secured 7 of 9 seats in the Mormugao constituency, Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida’s panel won 8 of 11 seats in the Vasco constituency and Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho’s panel secured 3 of 5 seats in the Dabolim constituency.
Two candidates, Leo Rodrigues and Kaliyarasi Swamy, who had contested and won as independent candidates have also backed the BJP.
