THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA
After being sidelined by the Ponda Shigmotsav committee, Ponda MLA Lavu Mamledar hit back by resigning as vice-president of the committee, and said he would attend the festival as a common man.
“Why should I remain in the committee if it does not take my suggestions seriously? My suggestions were in the interest of both the communities,” said Mamledar, while justifying his resignation.
Speaking to The Goan, Mamledar said he wanted a change in date of the Shigmotsav only because the festival coincided with Maundy Thursday.
“I had proposed March 23 or 28 as the date to celebrate Shigmotsav, as the dates should not clash with religious functions of the Christian community,” he said.
According to Mamledar, there could have been interruptions during the Maundy Thursday celebrations in the city if Shigmotsav was celebrated on the same time.
Though Mamledar had participated in the ‘naman’ offered to goddess Mahalsa at Mardol on Monday, he sent his resignation letter to the Tourism Department on Tuesday morning.
Also adding to Mamledar’s anger was the removal of two of his aides shortlisted as secretary and treasurer from the Shigmo committee. The BJP-backed councillors were, instead, appointed on the committee.
