Consensus candidate Atanasio Monserrate said that soon he intends to undertake discussion with Manohar Parrikar to name a consensus candidate of both the panels, for the post of Mayor. "I think the people of Panaji have suffered a lot in terms of city development, and we all should now focus on the progress of the capital city," he added NT NETWORK
Progress soon in Panaji as chances of Mayor from Parrikar panel brighten PANAJI: The development of Panaji city stuck since past couple of years due to the differences between the government and the ruling panel at the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) may gather speed soon, with the chances of the Manohar Parrikar panel at the CCP to come to power brightening up. The election to choose a new Mayor is scheduled on March 20. Presently, city Mayor Surendra Furtado is heading the ruling side at the CCP, with the support of the Atanasio Monserrate panel, which includes 14 councillors. Furtado, who also has the support of Ruth Furtado, his wife, also a city councillor, has been on the key post for the past two terms. Parrikar panel also includes 14 councillors, including two independents - Tony Rodrigues and Carolina Po. Atanasio Monserrate, speaking to 'The Navhind Times' Wednesday evening said that the decision of his panel to support Furtado for the post of Mayor for past two terms was no more than a 'marriage of convenience.' "And then I did not have required number of councillors to rule the city municipal corporation," he maintained, stating that he is no longer ready to support and tolerate a person with a giant ego at the Mayor's post. Speaking further, Monserrate said that soon he intends to undertake discussion with Manohar Parrikar to name a consensus candidate of both the panels, for the post of Mayor. "I think the people of Panaji have suffered a lot in terms of city development, and we all should now focus on the progress of the capital city," he added. All indications point out that the new Mayor could be from the Parrikar panel, while the post of deputy Mayor would go to a councillor from the Monserrate panel. Furtado, speaking to this daily said that he was not an egoistic person, but acted in a way, which maintained the dignity and prestige of the Chair of the Mayor. "Here people had sold the chair for a penny in the past," the city Mayor stated, pointing out that he has no qualms about losing Mayor's Chair. Furtado also said that he did his best to run the municipal corporation when its coffers were empty and no government help was coming, and furthermore, was also able to get 11 trucks for the municipal body. "I gave my best and have no resentments of any kind," he noted. Former mayor and leader of the councillors belonging to the Parrikar panel Vaidehi Naik said that former city MLA and present Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will be arriving in Goa during the first week of March and a meeting with him as regards the city Mayor's elections is then expected to take place. "Monserrate has already given interviews to the media about extending his support to our panel," she said. The former city mayor also said that new city MLA Sidharth Kunkalienkar is currently busy as he has just been elected to the post, and would also be participating in the meeting with Parrikar. Naik, however, refused to MAYOR: P10 Election on March 20; pact likely between opposite panels
