Row over alleged derogatory comments, abruptly ends Santa Cruz gram sabha

Panaji: The Santa Cruz gram sabha on Sunday ended abruptly following unresolved disputes regarding derogatory comments allegedly made by two attendees against gram sabha members during the previous meeting.

Former sarpanch Mariano De Araujo and activist Elsa Fernandes were accused of making the comments, however, they denied the allegations.

The disruption at the gram sabha erupted when an attendee submitted an application demanding that acting sarpanch Sandeep Sawant, who presided over the meeting, seek an apology from Araujo and Fernandes. A section of attendees said that if they don’t apologise, their proposals should not be presented before the gram sabha.

Sawant then asked Araujo and Fernandes to offer an apology. When they declined, he refused to consider their proposal and concluded the meeting.

“Sentiments of the members were hurt. They should have apologised and ended the matter at that very moment. I don’t have anything personal, I had no issues in taking their questions and addressing it during the gram sabha,” the acting sarpanch told reporters.

Araujo and Fernandes said that there was an attempt to divert the attention of the gram sabha members from the burning issues of the village.

“The ruling panchas are backed by Congress and sarpanch Jennifer Oliveira, who remained absent for the meeting, is a Congress leader. Her daughter, Shiny, who is a ZP member, has filed a complaint against me so that I should not attend the gram sabha,” Fernandes alleged.

She said that she has written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and state Congress president Amit Patkar complaining against the sarpanch and her daughter for targeting her.


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