MARGAO
After a hectic day at the counting centres, which saw fortunes fluctuating, with the election throwing mixed results, newly-elected members got down to brass tacks by evening.
With reports speaking about no panel fielded by the grassroot leaders in a position to form the panchayats for want of the magic figure and most of the newly-elected members are either independents or like-minded individuals, hectic efforts are underway to bring together under a common platform to form the new panchayats.
Take the case of the 11-member Navelim panchayat body. With no panel fielded by the grassroots mustering the magic figure of six members, efforts are on to form various permutations and combinations. While the Paul Pereira group and the Michael Cardozo group are expected to jostle to form a simple majority to rule the panchayat, questions are being raised what role the lone BJP member and the two members supported by the ruling party will play in the formation of the new body.
Another case in point is Velim panchayat. After results of all the eight wards were out after counting, the Savio D’Silva group and the Veena Cardozo group were tied 4-4 members. Both the groups, sources said, are now trying to woo Simon Fernandes, who was elected unopposed to the panchayat.
Both the groups are not leaving anything to chance and have exuded confidence in forming the panchayat.
In the coastal village of Cavelossim, a group of newly-elected members led by Dixon Vaz is trying to forge a consensus amongst members to form the new panchayat. Sources said a group of newly-elected members are also trying to come together to form the panchayat. In some of the Panchayats such as Paroda, Chandor, Rachol, Raia, the verdict is clear in favour of a particular group of individuals.
Take the case of five member Rachol panchayat. The three-member group comprising Congress leader and former sarpanch Joseph Vaz and Curtorim Block Congress president Mila Fernandes and Queiteira Vas are all set to form the panchayat body. Similarly, the Clafacio Dias-backed group comprising sitting Sarpanch Deepak Kharangate is all set to form the new panchayat to be headed by women.
In the neighbouring panchayat of Chandor-Cavorim, Congress MLA Yuri Alemao-backed group is expected to form the panchayat.
In the 9-member Varca panchayat, a group of newly-elected members met on Friday evening and decided to back Salesiana (Selu) Fernandes for the post of sarpanch and former sarpanch Roland Domingo Fernandes for the post of deputy sarpanch.
Sitting panch member Crosly Charlton Lourenco told The Goan that the six members comprising of Flavia Baretto, Solon Furtado, Baptisto Fernandes, besides him and Salesiana Fernandes and Roland Fernandes met and decided to work under the banner of People’s Panchayat.
