Team Herald
PANJIM: Congress filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer against BJP’s Vice-President Dattaprasad Naik alleging intimidating and wooing voters with cash.
In his formal complaint, Congress’ Rohit Bras De Sa stated, “Dattaprasad Naik, member of BJP is obstructing and intimidating voters in Panjim constituency from exercising their franchise and obstructing them from voting.”
The incident occurred near Dempo Bhat in Tonca at around noon, wherein it was alleged that Naik was wooing voters to abstain from voting or persuading voters to vote in favour of BJP against cash.
Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate who rushed to the venue said, “He has been roaming around from house to house and telling people not to vote for Babush. And he says if they don’t vote for Babush, they can come and meet him later and collect Rs 10,000. We rushed to the spot and found out that he was hiding in someone’s house. We have been trying to call the Flying Squad but they came now when we arrived here to disperse us.”
Reacting to the allegations, Naik’s wife and BJP local Corporator in the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), Shital Naik said, “We do not need to woo any voters. Our work has reached the people and the allegations just reflect the uneasiness of defeat that the opposition is facing.”
Meanwhile, the North Goa District Election Officer, R Menaka later in the day informed that a woman who was alleged to have been intimidated was identified and her statement recorded as well as the BJP vice president Dattaprasad Naik’s statement also has been recorded and enquiry is in progress. “When we contacted the lady who alleged intimidation, we got to know that she had already cast her vote. We have recorded the statements and a complete enquiry is being conducted to know about the whole incident. Some more statements of witnesses will also be recorded”, she informed.
She further informed that a complaint was filed by Goa Suraksha Manch that money was being distributed near polling stations 5 and 6 in Ribandar. “Immediate action was taken by Flying Squad team and no violation was detected”, she added.
