MARGAO
Margao Civic Chief Damu Shirodkar completes two years and five months in office on Wednesday, only throwing up a question or two whether he is firmly in the saddle and will complete the remainder of the current term with civic polls due in early 2026.
Damu Shirodkar had assumed charge as Margao Civic Chief on October 12, 2022 a month after Margao MLA Digambar Kamat had quit the Congress to join the BJP on September 14, 2022.
Considered a close aide of the Margao MLA, Damu did not encounter any serious challenge to his position during the last two years and five months. Though there have been occasional moves from a section of the ruling group of Councillors, seeking a change in leadership, Damu has stayed put in the chair, thanks to the powers that be controlling the Municipality.
Hailing from the Bhandari Samaj community, the BJP leadership seemed to have preferred not to touch the leadership issue, more so after the party did not get the anticipated votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While the BJP got a thin lead over the Congress in Margao segment, the Congress candidate Captain Viriato Fernandes had received substantial vote lead in neighbouring Fatorda segments in the Lok Sabha poll.
Sources in the ruling camp said the party leadership as well as the powers that be may not go for a change in leadership in the Margao civic body with hardly a year to go for the current tenure to expire in early 2026. “No doubt, there have been claimants for the post of MMC Chairperson from the aspirants in the ruling group. We do not think the party leadership will go for a leadership change at this stage”, remarked a BJP leader.
