MAPUSA
In what is considered as a setback to Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, Siolim-Marna Sarpanch Sharmila Vernekar was forced to put in her papers after majority of the panchayat members moved a no-confidence motion against her.
Backed by the Siolim MLA, Vernekar was leading the ruling group in the Siolim-Marna village panchayat.
In a clear division among the ruling group, five panchayat members moved a no-confidence motion against the sarpanch citing her inability to act against illegal constructions in the village and illegalities committed within the panchayat jurisdiction.
Five members “ Amit Morajkar, Abhay Shirodkar, Manorama Govekar, Shobavati Chodankar and Sandesh Hadfadkar “ moved the no-trust motion against the sarpanch before the Block Development Officer, Bardez.
The BDO is yet to call a meeting to discuss the no-trust motion.
Meanwhile, in bid to pre-empt the no-confidence motion, Vernekar resigned as sarpanch of the village.
“I have sent my resignation letter to the Director of Panchayat and the BDO. Now, it’s for them to take a call,” Vernekar told The Goan.
She also said that as per an understanding she was supposed to resign as the sarpanch next month in order to felicitate the election of the next person to the post.
“The present Deputy Sarpanch William Fernandes was supposed to take over from me,” Vernekar said.
