the goan I network
MARGAO
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao has admitted that his group has won only a lone seat in sitting sarpanch Sandra Fernandes, though he hastened to add that a newly-elected panch member is ready to support his group.
Local social activist Serafino Cota, however, told the media that the five member group comprising Winston Dias, Juzin Mendes, Bennis Carvalho and Savita Rodrigues, are not aligned to any political formation, but was backed by the village groups in the interest of the village.
When asked whether the group is associated with the Aam Aadmi party, which is he closely associated with in recent times, Serafino reiterated that the group has been backed by the village groups for the good of the village.
“The group is not aligned to any politician or party though some of them might have been the volunteers of a political party during the assembly election,” he said.
Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, on the other hand, conceded that his group has failed to muster a majority in Carmona village. “Sitting sarpanch Sandra Fernandes is a member of my group. If others want to join our group, they are welcome. During the assembly election, I had got only a slender lead in Carmona, while the AAP had polled some votes,” he said.
Incidentally, local activist Allwyn George, who had taken up many a social issue, including the issue over mobile towers, had been elected to the panchayat body as an independent. He is believed to have had contested as an independent without the backing of any group or political party.
