By Aires Rodrigues
In a major setback to Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar, he has today lost his political control over the Corporation of City of Panaji. Manohar Parrikar pulled every trick under his sleeve to retain power at the CCP. He even manipulated most undemocratically and abruptly in postponing the Mayor’s election which was earlier scheduled last month. Manohar Parrikar publicly claims that he does not interfere in Municipal and Panchayat politics, but we know it all.
Will Manohar Parrikar’s losing grip over the CCP be the beginning of the much needed Parivartan? It has to be seen whether the Ponda Municipality which goes to the polls next month is the next destination.
Vaidehi Naik is one of the most incompetent and inept Mayor Panaji has seen. She was basically a puppet dancing to her master Manohar Parrikar’s tunes. Surendra Furtado may be a very seasoned Councillor but he would now as the Mayor have to deliver and prove his mettle. As a first step in the right direction he should surrender that red beacon which is being used on the Mayor’s car and not wait for the Supreme Court clamp down. The Supreme Court has now ruled that use of the red beacon should be limited to only top constitutional authorities.
Let us hope that now all the 30 Corporators will put their hands together for the better of Panaji. The CCP coffers are empty while it is embroiled in knee deep Corruption ridden scams and scandals. It all stinks more than Panaji’s garbage.