the goan I network
PANAJI
Vitthal Chopdekar and Asmita Kerkar have been announced as candidates for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor from the “Babush” camp with Monserrate telling The Goan that he would seek the support of Siddharth Kuncalienkar for his two candidates.
Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, a politician hailing from the neighbouring Taleigao constituency, who controls the Corporation of the City of Panaji, had earlier promised incumbent Mayor Surendra Furtado that he would be allowed to complete the full five year term, but has reneged on his promise thus ending the association between Furtado and Monserrate which lasted all of two years.
Furtado and his wife Ruth were not part of the meeting where Monserrate made his decision known.
Both Chopdekar and Kerkar are from the Babush camp and make up fifteen members of the 30-member Council.
With the support of Furtado and his wife, they were seventeen members leaving the BJP-backed group with 13 members.
However, Furtado is counting on the support of the BJP camp even though he may not really require the numbers.
“I believe that in order to move forward, everyone needs to come together to work for Panaji. We have to come together. The inputs of Siddharth will also be required,” Monserrate told The Goan.
The elections are scheduled for March 14.
