PANAJI
The Sankhali Municipal Council comprises all 13 councillors. The earlier Chairperson had the support of six councillors including Damodar Ghadi, who expired on November 21, 2020, since the State government was taking no steps to hold by-elections and, further since the Chairperson who had already lost the majority, was continuing to cling to office, the petitioners sought directions for holding by-elections, expeditiously.
Though the councillor Damodar Ghadi expired on November 21, 2020, by-elections were held only on March 20, 2021. Meanwhile, the Chairperson continued to cling to power despite the loss of majority support.
On March 18, 2021, the petitioners requisitioned the Director to convene a special meeting to consider a no-confidence motion against the earlier Chairperson. The director failed to fix this crucial meeting at some early date, thereby enabling the earlier chairperson to cling to power despite having lost the majority.
Since an attempt was made to disqualify one of the councillors on the eve of the meeting scheduled on April 16, 2021, some of the petitioners were forced to approach the High Court.
The High Court stayed the proceedings for disqualification.
Undeterred, yet another attempt was made to disqualify another councillor barely hours before the crucial meeting. Some of the councillors were again forced to institute a petition and request that the same be taken up urgently on April 16, 2021, since the meeting was scheduled in the afternoon session at 2.30 pm.
By order dated April 16, 2021, the disqualification proceedings were stayed so that even the petitioners could attend the meeting scheduled at 2.30 pm. The court observed that at least prima facie this was an attempt to overreach its orders.
As if this subversion of democratic principles was not enough, it was alleged that one of the councillors was sought to be arrested and had to secure an anticipatory bail to attend the meeting scheduled on April 16, 2021.
Even electricity and water connections to the premises of one of the councillors were sought to be disconnected and had to be restored through court orders.
Ultimately, the meeting to consider the no-confidence motion took place on April 16, 2021, and the earlier Chairperson was voted out.
