VASCO
A day after Transport Minister and Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho slammed the reservation of wards ahead of the civic polls, fellow Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida was also livid over ward reservations and said attempts were being made to ensure his defeat in the upcoming assembly polls.
“Ward reservations were not done as per sequence and besides, 33% ward reservations for women cannot be only in wards of Vasco and Dabolim constituencies which form part of MMC. Urban Development Minister Milind Naik should give a reply on this issue,” said Almeida.
The visibly agitated Almeida was speaking to reporters after launching work to lay pavers in Orulem-Vasco in the presence of former Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Manesh Arolkar and other residents of the ward.
"I stand by Godinho’s statement and we were not consulted during reservations. Finally, the urban development minister is the boss.”
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has clarified that reservations have been done systematically. I don't know how this can be called “systematic” because there is no sequence at all and this is nonsense,” said Almeida.
The Vasco MLA insisted that reservations have to be done as per the Act and said 33% reservations have to be distributed uniformly and not only in Vasco and Dabolim constituencies.
“The urban development minister must answer this. I don't know if he wants us to lose the higher elections. Ward reservations have been done haphazardly. I am not worried and I am prepared to face elections with my panel, but I only want to say that ward reservations are wrong.”
“I may even file a petition but after some time, not because it affects me but because all the Karyakartas who have been working for so many years are also upset with the reservations," Almeida added.
