MARGAO
With the South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) headed by Dr Renuka Da Silva finally in place, Margao Municipal vice-chairperson Doris Texeira may put in her papers soon, as the TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai is expected to take a call on her successor for the post of vice-chairperson.
Sources in the know pointed out that BJP-backed Councilor Rupesh Mahatme may not be in the reckoning for the vice-chairperson’s post after his induction in the newly-constituted SGPDA. It is learnt that Mahatme had called on the TCP Minister on Thursday morning and that Sardesai was believed to have also had a meeting with Goa Forward party backed two-time councillor Tito Cardozo.
Sources reiterated that the TCP Minister is keen to maintain the delicate power balance at the Margao Municipal Council. He is believed to have told his close aides that he is keen to maintain the communal equation in the civic body, confirming that the post of MMC vice-chairperson will be retained by a member of the minority community.
Sources further said that Tito Cardozo, son of former Minister and senior Congressman Luis Alex Cardozo, has virtually emerged as a strong candidate for the post of vice-chairperson. He has the backing of the TCP Minister and is expected to fit the bill in the civic body after the exit of Doris Texeira.
A local observer pointed out that the TCP minister is keen to avoid sending a wrong signal to the people of Margao and Fatorda if both the chairperson and vice-chairperson belong to the same high class community.
When the media contacted Doris Texeira to shed light on her resignation, she said she would put in her papers no sooner the TCP Minister ask her to do so. “Vijai has been my mentor and I will not hold on to the chair even for a minute after he asks me to quit,” she added.
