CANACONA
Ourem-Palolem Councillor Simon Rebello filed his nomination for the post of chairperson, while Kindlem Councillor Amita Pagi filed her nomination for the post of vice-chairperson at the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) on Tuesday.
The two nominations were submitted to CMC Chief Officer Uday Prabhu Dessai, who informed that nominations to both posts will be accepted till 12 noon on Wednesday.
If there are multiple nominations, elections to appoint the chairperson and deputy chairperson will be conducted on Thursday.
It may be recalled that a 7-member faction had emerged from the 12 new elected councillors loyal to the BJP and they had gone to meet Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes to persuade him to accept Simon Rebello as the next chairperson.
However, an eighth councillor had joined them in meeting Fernandes but is not part of the group.
Sources said hectic efforts were being made to split the 7-member faction, prompting the seven newly elected councillors and the spouses of the women councillors to move to an undisclosed location, reportedly in Karnataka, since the last 4-5 days.
On Tuesday, Rebello along with his group arrived by flight in the State and proceeded to file his nomination papers, before flying back later in the evening to join the other councillors.
Sources said the seven councillors are expected to return to the State on Thursday to participate in the election of the chairperson and vice-chairperson.
