MARGAO
Simmering discontentment in Opposition leader Digambar Kamat’s camp hit out in the open soon after the election of the new Margao Municipal chairperson, with former MMC chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar demanding an answer why Digambar played second fiddle to Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai for the chairperson’s chair.
Digambar’s close aide Damu Shirodkar also slammed the Opposition leader demanding to know why Digambar did not discuss with him and Ganashyam before conceding the chairperson’s post to Goa Forward’s candidate.
Both Ganashyam and Damu said they would take a call on their future course of action after consulting their workers and after hearing from the Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.
The duo’s grouse was that Digambar did not insist on chairperson’s post and conceded the crucial position to the Goa Forward for the second time in a row.
Briefing media after the election, Ganashyam saluted Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai for ensuring that the chairperson hailed from Fatorda. “Unlike Sardesai, who has protected the interest of Fatorda and his men, Digambar ignored the wishes of Madgavkars that the chairperson’s post should go to Fatorda”, he said, saying this is highly condemnable, blaming Kamat for lack of vision.
He added: “Digambar is not interested in Margao. We Madgavkars and voters will have to rethink and ask him the question why Margao First is not on his agenda. I was the most experienced candidate, but I understand that Digambar did not propose my name to Sardesai”
Asked about his future course of action, he said “let the Margao MLA first explain why I was not considered for the post. He should have called me for discussions with the Fatorda MLA if the latter had any problem with me”.
Asked whether this resentment will have any bearing on the stability of the council, Ganashyram said he is not interested in toppling the chairperson, since Lyndon has promised to fight corruption.
Damu, on the other hand blamed Digambar for keeping the councillors in the dark over the post of chairperson. “It is a fact that I and Ganashyam were both in the race for the post, but the Margao MLA should have called us up for a meeting. I would have even told Digambar to make Ganashyam the chairperson first”, he said, adding he will decide his future course of action on Saturday after a meeting with his workers.
Meanwhile, ward No 15 councillor, Mahesh Naik, who had won as an independent after leaving the Kamat camp, also trained his guns at the Margao MLA, while complimenting Sardesai for placing his men in the saddle.
