Mapusa
Finally, the ruling BJP group in the Mapusa Municipal Council on Friday dubiously took over the entire Carnival committee in Mapusa, cancelled the appointment of chairmen on various sub-committees done two days ago and appointed “yes men” on those committees.
Friday also saw the General Secretary of the Mapusa Carnival Committee Kayle Braganza quitting from her post apparently because her presence has caused some hindrance among the members in the smooth functioning of the activities.
The ruling group called the carnival committee meeting for the third day in a row ostensibly to reconstitute the sub-committees. Councillors Shashank Narvekar, Komal D’Souza and Ashirwad Korjuvenkar who were heading various sub-committees were removed and replaced with new persons.
The resignation of Kayle Braganza played to the advantage of the ruling group and their pointsman former chairperson, Michael Carrasco who is the joint secretary has now taken over the leadership of the committee.
MMC Vice-Chairperson Chandrashekar Benkar told The Goan that Wednesday’s meeting was null and void as proper procedure was not followed as notices were not served to all the councillors.
“Councillors Sainath Raul and Viraj Phadke objected to the meeting because they did not receive notices and therefore could not attend. Now, we officially sent notices to all councillors about the meeting on Friday,” Benkar said.
When questioned that Carnival meeting was not an official council meeting which is governed by the Municipal Act and did not require to be sent notices, the Vice Chairperson had no valid answer.
Earlier, in the day the General Secretary of Mapusa Carnival Committee Kayle Braganza resigned from the job after she apparently felt that her presence was causing a problem in the functioning of the committee.
The turn of events during the carnival meetings in the last two days clearly played on her mind.
“I was elected as the general secretary of the Mapusa Carnival Committee and in good faith I accepted it. But I have come to realise that in the last few days, my presence has caused some hindrances among the members in the smooth functioning of the activities. As a result, I have tendered my resignation in the best interest of the Mapusa carnival committee,” Braganza said in her resignation letter.
She admitted that the reconstitution of the sub-committees that were appointed on Wednesday was one of the many reasons that forced her to take the decision.
“Finally, the Carnival has to be organised smoothly in the interest of the Mapusa Council and the people of Mapusa. I thought my presence would create an obstacle so I have stepped aside,” she said.
