http://oheraldo.in/node/10304
MMC set to face no-trust in less than 4 months BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, FEB 24 -- A day before the Carnival festivities could kick-start on Saturday, Margao witnessed a political circus with the Congress backed Councillors tabling a no-trust motion against the Chairperson, Piedade Noronha. The eight Congress Councillors mustered the support of two Independents, including vice-Chairperson, John Gonsalves and weaned away BJP Councillor Raju Naik on their side, taking their number to 11 in the 20-member body. Incidentally, the Congress move comes days after the Chairperson had a meeting with AICC general secretary, Margarett Alva, wherein the Congress leader had discussed the possibility of Noronha's return to the party fold. In the 20-member body, the Congress has 8 Councillors, BJP eight, two Independents and two Congress dissidents, namely Piedade Norohna and Ciriaca Rodrigues. The signatories to the motion are Ganashyam Shirodkar, Savio Coutinho, John Gonsalves, Raju Naik, Gurunath Laad, Radhika Kawlekar, Jhonson Fernandes, Livramenta Barretto, Johny Crasto, Gonzaco Rebello and Babita Naik. The notice of no-trust motion was submitted in the office of the Director of Municipal Administration in Panjim on Friday afternoon after taking the blessings of both the Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao and Power Minister, Digambar Kamat. Sources said the DMA has fixed the motion for discussion on March 8, which happens to be Women's Day and the birthday of Power Minister, Digambar Kamat. Later addressing a press conference, Congress Councillor Ganashyam Shirodkar said the 11 Councillors were forced to table the no-trust motion against the Chairperson for her failure on all fronts. He, however, said the question of choosing Noronha's successor will be decided after the present incumbent is voted out of office. "This question will be decided by consensus by the Councillors and the Ministers - Joaquim Alemao and Digambar Kamat", he maintained. Replying to a question, he said the motion was tabled after taking the Power Minister, Digambar Kamat into confidence and denied the hand of Vijay Sardessai behind the move. Charging the Chairperson for her dismal performance, Shirodkar said the last four months saw deterioration at the Sonsodo garbage dumpyard for failure by the ruling body. "We do not want a repeat of the Curca in Margao", he added. Shirodkar further said the ruling body has failed to recover the huge outstanding revenue to the tune of Rs 6 crores and has failed to provide basic civic amenities to the citizens. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England