MAPUSA
A change in guard is expected sooner than later in Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).After dithering for months, the majority of the ruling councillors of Mapusa Municipal Council have come together to displace Chairperson Shubanghi Vaigankar.
Apparently, after getting a green signal from the party, local MLA Joshua D’Souza called a meeting of councillors belonging to the BJP and those supporting the ruling dispensation in the council to take a call on the fate of the chairperson.
A majority of the councillors including Vice-Chairperson Chandrashekar Benkar were present for the meeting held on Wednesday at an undisclosed destination.
The MLA reportedly informed the councillors that Vaigankar was given enough time to put in her papers but she refused to stand by her word delaying the inevitable every time, with some excuse or the other.
He also informed that he had a discussion with the party leadership which has given him the go-ahead to move a no-confidence motion against the incumbent chairperson.
Sources informed that all the councillors who were present for the meeting agreed to the plan and also signed on the no-trust motion to be moved in the event the chairperson refuses to step down on her own.
Except for the chairperson, 13 councillors were present for the meeting.
Those present were Vice Chairperson Chandrashekar Benkar, Sushant Harmalkar, Priya Mishal, Kishori Korgaonkar, Ashirward Korjuvenkar, Swapnil Shirodkar, Sainath Raul, Barbara Carrasco, Viraj Phadke, Nutan Bicholkar, Prakash Bhivshet, Tarak Arolkar and Vikas Arolkar.
Meanwhile, hectic efforts were on to convince Vaigankar to relinquish the chair and avoid the embarrassment of bringing a no-confidence against her.
In the past, similar attempts to force the chairperson to step down came a cropper as Vaigankar refused to throw in the towel.
The Mapusa MLA refused to confirm or deny the political developments within his council group.
“No comments,” was D’Souza’s terse response.
Putting up a brave face, MMC Chairperson Shubanghi Vaigankar said nothing has been discussed or decided and whatever decision has to be taken will be in the interest of Mapusa.
“I have given my best till today and have a strong desire to work for the welfare of Mapusa. If Bodgeshwar wants, I may continue to serve the people of Mapusa,” Vaigankar said.
Sources informed that the chairperson has given an indication that she will put in her papers in the middle of next week.
