No trust motion against Bicholim Municipal Council chief, deputy

BICHOLIM: Five councilors of the Bicholim Municipal Council (BMC) have served no-confidence motion against BMC chairperson AnishaVernekar and her deputy NarayanBetkikar. While the notice against deputy chairperson Betkikar was served at the BMC office on Friday, chairperson Vernekar's notice was served on Monday at the directorate of municipal administration.
The five councilors who have signed the notices are Riyaz Beig, Ajit Birje, Karuna Govekar, Kamlakar Teli and Kamlesh Teli. They have stated that the existing council under the chairmanship of Vernekar and Betkikar was not instrumental in undertaking development works. They also made it clear that they have taken this step by taking senior BJP leaders into confidence.
The council appears to be divided in two BJP-supporting factions, with the five signatories on one hand and Vernekar, Betkikar and Premanand Mayekar on the other. Efforts are being made at the party's top level to bring the council together. A third group comprising council members Anita Harmalkar and Shashikant Halarnkar may be the deciding factor at the meeting to discuss the no-confidence motion scheduled on August 22. tnn