the goan I network
MARGAO
Margao Municipal Council Chairperson, Babita Prabhudesai, who has completed three years in office, will stay put in the chair at least for the moment, with the Goa Forward leadership headed by TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai not showing any urgency in effecting a change in guard at the civic body.
Indications that Babita will continue in office became evident when young councillor Pooja Naik, who was emerging as a consensus choice amongst the group opposed to the chairperson, was appointed as the vice-president of the Goa Forward youth wing by the party leadership.
Sources in the Goa Forward say that party supremo Vijai Sardesai is believed to have taken a stand that Pooja may require little bit of grooming as well as exposure before taking over the reigns of office from incumbent chairperson. “One reason why Pooja has been elevated to the post of Party youth vice-president was to give her the exposure and to groom her up to take up responsibilities in the future,” sources informed.
A section of City Fathers owing allegiance to the Goa Forward had raised a virtual banner of revolt against Babita, by boycotting a meeting couple of months ago, leaving the chairperson with no option than to adjourn the meeting. Around that time, the agitated City Fathers had openly batted for Pooja’s candidature as an alternative for the incumbent chairperson.
The revolt had forced the Goa Forward chief and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai to call for an urgent meeting with the beleaguered councillors to take stock of the situation and ensure stability at the civic body.
Incidentally, the party leadership had calmed down frayed tempers by promising to sort out their grievances, both relating to development as well as a change in leadership, after the Chairperson completes three years in office.
Sources in the know said that in a bid to assuage the sentiments of the councillors, the TCP Minister is believed to have mooted development works in the 11 municipal wards, which are part of the Fatorda constituency, under the PWD, worth lakhs of rupees. The proposed PWD works, sources said, is aimed at keeping the agitated councillors in good humour and resolve issues relating to development.
Sources in the Goa Forward further pointed out that the Goa Forward chief also appears not too keen to effect a change in guard at the civic body at this juncture for the simple reason that Babita has been shouldering her responsibilities independently without much support from the party leadership.
