Goa, Aug. 25 -- The long-delayed Anjuna panchayat gram sabha, scheduled for Sunday, took a dramatic turn after secretary Rui Cardozo excused himself at the last minute, forcing a three-week postponement.

As per a notice issued by Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar, the meeting convened at the panchayat hall, where he informed villagers that Cardozo had submitted a leave application on August 23. Consequently, the Bardez BDO deputed Siolim-Marna secretary Premanand Mandrekar to conduct proceedings.

Mandrekar read out the BDO's order and the previous minutes, but villagers, led by Pradeep Harmalkar, objected, calling it a waste of time to proceed with a secretary unfamiliar with local issues, especially amid Ganesh Chaturthi preparations. Harmal...