MAPUSA
For Leader of Opposition and Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo winning the Calangute panchayat was a prestige issue and therefore he put all his might to campaign for his panel Together for Calangute in the coastal village.
But all that tiring effort and resources poured in was just not enough as his panel had to bite the dust with just three of his candidates emerging triumphant.
On the contrary, for former sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, who was in the political wilderness for the last five years after losing the election in 2017, this election was a huge comeback.
He not only won from his ward but also managed the numbers to stake claim over one of the richest panchayat bodies in the State.
The Calangute MLA, however, accepted the result humbly respecting the verdict of the people.
“In Calangute, people have chosen more Independents than the panels. Whoever makes the panchayat is immaterial but people chose Independents. Five Independents have been elected in Calangute. Let us work for Calangute,” Lobo said.
He said his panel got just three members and therefore will not stake a claim to form the panchayat in Calangute.
“Whoever is forming the panchayat is free to do it. Our three people will support them wholeheartedly. People neither supported our panel nor the other panel. I wish Joseph (Sequeira) all the best. My support will be there for him,” he said.
Crediting his win to the people of Calangute, former sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said people voted for change because there was mismanagement in the previous body.
“This is a grassroots election. People remembered whatever work we have done in the previous years. People said we want you back again. Some of us who are elected are stalwarts who worked for the people of Calangute in the past,” Sequeira said.
