OLD GOA
Both the warring groups of Siridao panchayat met Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho on Friday to resolve the issue prevailing in the panchayat over the fiasco on the no-confidence motion.
When contacted, Sarpanch Jagdish Gauns confirmed having met Godinho along with the other two panchas of his panel.
“We met the minister and he has assured that he would amicably resolve the issue,” Gauns stated.
Even as unsuccessful attempts were made to contact the opposition group on their meeting with the minister, a reliable source close to them informed that they had met the minister through a common friend.
Speaking to the media, Godinho confirmed that both groups had met him and attempts are underway to bring about an amicable solution.
“All seven panchas belong to the BJP and talks are underway to bring about an amicable solution. This is the first round of talks and in the coming days, more rounds of talks will be held,” Godinho told the media.
It may be recalled that four panchas, Deputy Sarpanch Melanie de Souza, panchas Antonio Afonso, Camilo Marques and Vasu Kuncolienkar, had moved a no-confidence motion against Siridao Sarpanch Jagdish Gauns.
The no-confidence motion had to be held outside the panchayat as the police did not allow entry inside the panchayat over a complaint of attempted burglary. In the motion, all four panchas present voted in favour, thereby ousting Gauns by 4-0 votes.
However, Gauns and two panchas, Nutan Shirodkar and Kush Palkar filed a petition with the Additional Director of Panchayats Umakant Korkankar challenging the proceedings of the no-confidence motion.
Korkankar then suspended the resolution adopted by granting an ex-parte stay on July 4, before sending the file to the secretary (panchayats) for further action in the matter.
Korkankar cited many violations in the conduct of the no-confidence motion while passing the order, but said that his order is only an interim one and the final order would be passed by the secretary (panchayats) after hearing both the parties.
Compromise being worked out to end stalemate?
OLD GOA
Even as both the warring groups of Siridao panchayat met Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho seeking a solution to the no-confidence motion fiasco, a reliable source informed The Goan that a compromise formula is being worked out to end the stalemate.
The source, who did not wish to be named, said as part of the formula, the sarpanch’s post is being offered to the opposition group led by Antonio Afonso, while the ruling panel led by Jagdish Gauns will get the deputy sarpanch’s post.
However, it could not be confirmed by The Goan whether such a formula would be accepted by both the groups and things would become clear only after a common meeting is held.
The only question is who will take the initiative in bringing together both groups on a common platform, considering the drama played out in public.
