SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Team Herald
QUEPEM: A high voltage drama unfolded at the Quepem Deputy Collector’s office on Saturday as BJP workers and its candidates allegedly tried to block Ramesh Naik from filing his nomination from Ward l (OBC) for the Quepem municipal election.
According to sources, the incident took place nearly half-and-hour before the nomination filing process was about to end as Saturday was the last day for filing of nominations.
The drama unfolded between BJP workers and Congress supporters, when Ramesh was proceeding to file his nominations for Quepem Municipal election. He was allegedly blocked by Quepem BJP workers from entering the premises and this tussle between the Congress supporters and the Quepem BJP workers lasted for nearly 25 minutes.
During the tussle, Naik was allegedly pushed and there were heated arguments between Congress supporters and BJP workers. However, on noticing the situation getting out of control, Quepem Deputy Collector Nilesh Daigodhkar and Mamlatdar Laxmikant Dessai tried to separate the two groups and directed the Quepem Police to move them out of the Deputy Collector’s premises.
However, despite the high voltage drama, Ramesh finally filed his nomination for Quepem Municipal election in the presence of Quepem Congress Block Committee president Manuel Colaco.
Ramesh, who sustained hand injury during the tussle, was later taken to a doctor.
Colaco said, “This act is against humanity and democracy. Today what happened is not acceptable, we have heard of such situations in UP and Bihar but, today we experienced one of the saddest days in Goan politics, which has hurt the sentiments of Goenkars.”
Ramesh said, “I came to file my nomination from Ward l (OBC). I was pushed and they tried to pressurise me not to file my nomination in the Deputy Collector’s office which is unacceptable and wrong. In the process, they caused injuries to my hand and shoulder. I was surprised that my friends were against me for political greed and today what happened, everyone noticed. Today, educated people act like ‘illiterates’.”
