the goan I network
VASCO
In a new political turn of events in the port town, Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Councillor Reema Sonurlekar has quit the panel backed by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and decided to be an independent councillor without affiliation to any panel.
The move has surprised many, since Sonurlekar had been a staunch supporter of Almeida and had always been loyal to the Almeida panel.
She had even backed former MMC chairperson Deepak Naik through thick and thin and had also voted against the present MMC Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar and former MMC chairperson Bhavna Nanoskar during two recent elections.
Sonurlekar had also been extremely vocal against members of the opposite panel and had led many Vasco BJP events from the front.
Sources said Sonurlekar had recently denied an offer to quit the Almeida panel and stood strong with the members of the panel, even as some councillors from the Almeida panel had switched sides to bring Gaonkar into power as MMC chairperson.
Sources close to Sonurlekar said she was very upset as works were not being carried out in her wards for the last three years even while Deepak Naik, a candidate supported by Carlos Almeida, was in power for three years.
“She was assured of being made deputy chairperson and also assured that works would be taken up in her ward. But works were not taken up since the last three years.”
“Recently, residents from her ward criticised her and said it was a mistake to have voted her as councillor. This has hurt her a lot. Besides, many councillors from the Almeida panel have been interfering in her ward and doing things without taking here into confidence,” said the source.
Aggrieved over the developments, Sonurlekar had sent a message in the group that she wanted to quit the panel and she also left the group, but none from the Almeida’s panel of councillors even called her to enquire what went wrong,” the source added.
When contacted, Sonurlekar admitted having left the Almeida panel.
“It is true that I have quit the Almeida panel but I will not switch my loyalty to the other panel despite having many offers. I have never ditched anyone in my life and I will continue as an independent councillor without being affiliated to any panel. I may have quit the Almeida panel but I have not quit the BJP party and I will continue to work for BJP,” said Sonurlekar.
