Questions raised whether MMC chief will henceforth be elected by show of hands
MARGAO
“Show me the provision in the Goa Municipalities Act mandating holding of election of Municipal Chairperson or the vote of no-confidence motion by secret ballot,” asserted Presiding Officer Vikas Gaunekar, Additional Secretary, Finance appointed by the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) to conduct the no-confidence motion against Margao Municipal Chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar on Friday.
When The Goan questioned Gaunekar after the no-trust motion against Ganashyam about why the exercise was conducted by a show of hands and not via the secret ballot, the Presiding Officer was categorical in saying that there is no provision in the Municipalities Act to hold the election or the no-trust motion via secret ballot.
Moreover, pointing out that elections for the post of Municipal Chairperson or the no-trust motions are held at special meetings of the Municipal bodies, Gaunekar wondered whether such elections or the no-trust motions need to be conducted by secret ballot. “You show me the provision wherein election for the post of chairperson is to be conducted by secret ballot. Similarly, there is no provision in the Act mandating that the no-trust motion is to be conducted via secret ballot,” Gaunekar added.
With the Presiding Officer conducting the no-trust motion by show of hands, questions are being raised in the corridors of the Margao Municipal Council and outside whether Gaunekar will adopt the process of electing the new Margao Municipal Chairperson, again by show of hands.
Gaunekar’s statement assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of fears raised by ousted Margao Municipal Chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar and Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai that the election for the vacant post of MMC chairperson will be held by show of hands.
Sardesai as well as Shirodkar has dropped enough hints to knock on the doors of the Judiciary to seek clarity on the provision as far as holding elections for the post of MMC chairperson and vice-chairperson is concerned, besides no-trust motions.
Denied entry to cover no-trust, scribes protest, allowed entry
MARGAO: Scribes covering the no-trust motion against the Margao Municipal Chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar were denied entry into the Margao Municipal hall for some time before they protested and made their way inside.
Initially, members of the Fourth Estate were denied entry into the meeting hall at the door by the staff. The scribes later created an uproar and made their way inside, questioning the rationale behind barring the media from covering the no-trust motion.
When the Presiding Officer, Vikas Gaunekar, Additional Secretary, Finance was questioned by the scribes for initially keeping the scribes out, he sought to downplay the issue, by saying that the media have all covered the proceedings.
When pointed out that Council meetings are open to the public and cannot be held under closed doors, Gaunekar said, “Maybe, the staff had initially decided to avoid rush inside the meeting hall, but, since the media has covered the proceedings, I don’t think there is any issue now.”
