Goemkarponn Panchanama
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The centuries-old idiom “A friend in need is a friend indeed” is no more applied to politicians as for them ‘there is no permanent friend or enemy in politics”.
The latest example is the sacking of Mr Durgesh Shirodkar from the post of Chairman of Goa dairy. Goemkarponn brings you details of “in-between lines” in this one of the biggest controversies in the history of Goa dairy.
Background of the case:
On 5th January, Chairman Mr Durgesh Shirodkar addressed media requesting intervention from Chief Minister of Goa claiming that Dr Anil Fadte, then Managing Director (MD), had done financial irregularities to the tunes Rupees 24,77,080/- through unauthorized payment towards substandard cattle feed. In the same brief, he claimed that he had brought the dairy to profit of over 3 crores 75 lakh rupees in last business year.
He further claimed that in the absence of timely intervention from the Chief Minister, the dairy may back in a loss.
He gave for sudden media brief because of non-cooperation from then MD, he could not even hold scheduled AGM on 31/12/2021, and as a such, he could not declare the profit members.
Soon after the press conference, news went viral
the Registrar of cooperative Society, Aravind Khutkar reconstituted the three-member administrative committee and thereby Chairman, Durgesh Shirodkar had been sacked and the Director of AHVS has taken over the charge of the Chairman.
By evening, another news came out that that Dr. Anil Fadte had been removed from the charge of the MD which has been now given to Senior Chemist Kashi Naik. Though it seems like a simple administrative procedure, Goemkarponn, there is more to the story than what meets teh naked eye.
Goemparponn is in possession of these orders issued by RCS Arvind Khutkar. After going through the orders, one can understand the real reason why Durgesh addressed media on 5/1/2021 and made the disclosure about alleged irregularities by then MD Dr. Anil Fadte.
It was on 5/1/2021, file for his removal was cleared in Panjim, and the order was way to serve him.
With the tips from insiders in Panjim, he went out to open in media. His appeal to CM for intervention indicated that his friendship with Cooperation Minister Govind Gaude is no thicker than it was one and half years back when he was included in the administrative committee and appointed as Chairman.The people in the knowhow of Priol politics claim Minister Gaude has often dumped people after some misunderstandings.
Goemkarponn brings you stories in brief about these examples.
Adv. Vishwas Satarkar
Two times Priol Bharatiya Janata Party ML Vishwas Satarkar had lost to MGP candidate Dipak Dhavlikar in the 2007 election. He did not get a chance to contest the 2012 election as BJP had an alliance with MGP where his rival Dipak Dhavlikar contested on that seat.
Though central BJP supported MGP candidate but Adv. Vishwas Satarkar and his close secretly supported Govind Gaude, an independent candidate in Priol.Though Gaude lost in 2012,
This turned fruitful for Govind Gaude, who ultimately won by nearly 5000 votes and became Minister in Parrikar’s Government.
The relation between Adv Satarkar led Priol BJP unit and Gaude became thick that \ Gaude made sole BJP Panch member Magaldas Gaude of Priol Panchayat as the Sarapanch of that panchayat.
However, after one year, this relationship turned bitter after Govind Gaude supporter panch members brought “No Confidence Motion” against this panch but they could win that No confidence motion, despite putting pressure on the local unit Parrikar and other party leader. Today the cracks are wide, and this section of Priol BJP has brought forward Sandip Nigalye as their candidate against Govind Gaude.
Mangaldas Gaude, Ex-Sarpanch
of priol Panchayat
He was the same BJP panch member of Priol Panchayat who was made the first Sarpanch of that panchayat after the panchayat election took place immediately after the Assembly election.
For a year, he was the blue-eyed boy of Govind Gaude. There was no single function in Priol where he was not accompanied by this Sarpanch.
Difference cropped ou after Govind Gaude PA made some remark against Adv. Satarkar. This resulted in a refusal to step down from the post after an agreed tenure as Sarapanch was over.
He stepped down later on but gave no credit to Govind Gaude. This led to an end to the friendship to the extent that the Minister shouted at him with insulting words whilst he visited his house with some neighbour work. Today Mangaldas is all out with Nigalye to defeat Govind Gaude.
Third: Rohidas Kerkar, Ex-Deputy Sarpanch of Keri Panchayat
He is from Keri Village from where Adv. Vishwas Satarkar hails. He is one of the hardcore RSS workers from Priol and a close BJP associate of Adv. Vishwas Satarkar. Last two elections, he, along with youth from his ward, fully supported Gaude, giving him maximum lead.
The clashing point between the two started when he shared the dais with Dhavlikar for distribution function in the village.
Like above referred Sarpanch in Priol, here too friendship developed crack. As a result, Kerkar lost his deputy Sarpanch post through No Confident Motions.
Here too, Kerkar got the same treatment insult in front of the public like Mangaldas Gaude. At present, Kerkar has formally joined MGP and will support MGP candidates to defeat Govind Gaude.
Laxmikant Khedekar,
Ex- Sarpanch of Priol Panchayat
As stated earlier, though, in spite of all effort, Gaude could get No Confidence Movement to win against Mangaldas Gaude.
However, he was voted out later on as he developed differences with some of his supporters. At this time, Laxmikant Khedekar, who otherwise supported Dhavalikar before the assembly election, became very close to Govind Gaude and became Sarpanch of Priol Panchayat.
Gaude was full of praise for him. Things went wrong when he openly blamed Govind Gaude’s PA over the Panchayat Ghar stone foundation ceremony.
Things went to such extent where Gaude ordered him to tender resignation.
Things cooled down after a few days but taking the opportunity, Dhavlikar supporters brought No Confidence against Laxmikant Khedkar, and they won it. After stepping down, he continued to be a strong supporter of Gaude. He was the front runner for winning a cooperative society in that area, so also winning a seat of August 2021 by the election of that panchayat leading Dhavalikar supported Sarpanch in the minority.
As Sarpanch resigned, a major crack developed in the relation between the two. Minister wanted newly elected Panch as Sarpanch where Laxmikant suggested otherwise.
Finally, Laxmikant Khedekar, with the help of Dhavlikar supported panch members, became Sarpanch again. In the bargain, he, too tasted the same insult in from of the public like Kerkar and Mangaldas Gaude. Soon his family members in Government service were transferred to remote places.
Ramesh Tavadkar,
Ex-Minister for tribal affairs
The friendship between both was known right from UTTA agitation. After UTTAA agitation (2012), Govind Gaude lost in the election, but Ramesh Tavadkar won and became Sports and Tribal Minister. During his tenure as Minister, Govind Gaude was seen as his shadow through five years. In the 2017 election, BJP denied tickets for Tawadkar. Sensing an opportunity, Dhavalikar offered an MGP ticket for Tavadkar in Canacona with a rider that he should address two meetings for Dipak Dhavlikar in Priol. Tavadkar refused the offer.
Tavadkar lost, and Govind won and became Tribal Minister.
The indication is that “all is not well” between the two. A book written by a close aide of Govind Gaude criticized Tavadkar as “attention seekers” and mocked him, saying “retired MLA”.
For all years, Gaude never missed Lokotsav organized by Tavadkar at Canacona, but this time he did not turn over there when Chief Minister visited same along with Governors Goa, Jharkhand and Himachal.
People believe that Gaude’s delay in accepting the BJP offer is due to Tawadkar.
Gaude feels insecure in BJP with fear that if Tavadkar gets elected, he will grab his current position of ST face in Cabinet.
Durgesh Shirodkar,
Ex- Administrator/Chairman, Goa Dairy
A well-known milk producer and former media person who has been associated with Gaude for the last two elections though he is not from his constituency.
Goa dairy has been limelight for daily controversy for the last five years.In one such controversy, more than seven elected board members got disqualified, and three members administration committee was formed, where Durgesh Shirodkar got a place in this committee and was appointed as Administrative Chairman 18 months back. He brought dairy to profit, which was declared in the media briefing on 5th January. For the last year, he was seen everywhere next to Govind Gaude but not for the last three months.
Sources told Goemkarponn that the distance between the two started widening when he reached some of the close aids of Govind Gaude, who were treating Goa dairy as their “milking cow”. The rift was open on the issue of whole-scale recruitment without the consent of the administrative committee.
The final nail was hit when the recruited employee was questioned by him for remaining absent without intimation to attend a political rally of the Minister.
The final outcome was that he got the boot in just three days. But before getting out, he took played a masterstroke, well assisted by some seniors in BJP.
The press brief on 5th January was well calculated to expose then MD Dr Anil Fadte. No one expected that he would be removed as some believe that he is a relative of Minister from his in-law’s side.
