the goan I network
VASCO
After having successfully overturned an ouster in a no-confidence motion last month amid political struggles and legal disputes, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar and his deputy Shashikant Parab were voted out of office in a second no-confidence motion on Thursday.
In what was a second showdown between two BJP-backed panels, Gaonkar and Parab who were backed by Urban Development
Minister Milind Naik were ousted by 13-11 votes by the opposition panel of councillors backed by Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida during a special meeting convened to decide the no-confidence motion at MMC.
Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik was the presiding officer at the special meeting along with MMC Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes.
Unlike the earlier no-confidence motion on May 3, which was marred by confusion, chaos and suspense, the special meeting on Thursday went off peacefully and there were no heated moments.
Both Gaonkar and Parab were voted out in separate elections carried out by raising of hands. The meeting was attended by 24 councillors as one councillor Dhanpal Swamy was absent for the meeting.
A large police team was present during the special meeting to prevent any law and order situation at the MMC building
Naik stated that voting to decide the no-confidence motion was taken by show of hands.
“In favour of motion against both MMC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson in separate occasions, 13 councillors raised their hands, while 11 councillors raised hands against the motion and one councillor was absent during the election. The motion has been carried,” said Naik.
Soon after the meeting, former MMC chairperson Deepak Naik said there were statements made by MMC Vice Chairperson Shashikant Parab during the proceedings that he had not done anything during his tenure as MMC chairperson.
“When I was the chairperson, I had got a lot of funds and when I resigned, there was Rs 13 crore in the MMC treasury. As chairperson, I had sent a list of works to be taken up in 25 wards, but it was brought back by this panel and altered as per their councillors and sent back to DMA again,” he said.
Hitting back, Goankar said Deepak Naik must prove what works he had taken and in which ward during his 3-year tenure as MMC
Chairperson. “Shortly before resigning, he had sent a list of works in wards of his panel which were returned by DMA because he had not followed correct procedure. I had sent a list of works of all wards and within 3 months,
got all these works approved and sanctioned and we also undertook works of around Rs 15 crore in just three months which includes works in wards of opposition panel as well.
What he could not achieve in three years, we have done in three months. The no-confidence
motion moved will not affect me, but will affect the people of Vasco,” said Gaonkar.
Kritesh Gaonkar taunts Sandesh
Mesta for ditching ruling panel
VASCO: While thanking MMC staff for supporting him during his tenure as MMC Chairperson, ousted MMC Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar on Thursday offered special thanks to MMC Councillor Sandesh Mesta of Ward 1 and requested him to take up development works for the sake of the people.
Mesta, who was part of the ruling panel, had recently switched sides to the opposition panel which subsequently led to the no-confidence motion against the ruling panel, leading to the ouster of Gaonkar and his deputy Shashikant Parab in a second no-confidence motion on Thursday.
“With the blessings of Lord Damodar and St Andrew, I have managed to be MMC chairperson and carry out large development works. I want to specially thank MMC Councillor Sandesh Mesta, who was with me and part of our panel while we were in power. He would always complain that no works were taken up in his ward while he was in the opposition for three years. I want to tell him that as MMC Chairperson, I sanctioned works of Rs 62 lakh in his ward and I request him to take up those works for the sake of people of his ward,” said Gaonkar.
