PANJIIM: As the battle for Panjim seat begins with filing of nomination ending on Monday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant indirectly criticised Congress’s candidate Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate by questioning his character.
“The contest is between a candidate with character and another whose character is questionable,” he said while addressing a large crowd who had gathered at Goddess Mahalaxmi Temple to extend their support to BJP’s Sidharth Kuncalienker before he walked to Collector’s office where Sidharth filed his nomination.
While Sawant refrained from taking their rival’s name, his remark was indirectly aimed at Monserrate as BJP has been hitting out Congress’s candidate by talking about the number of criminal cases pending against him. From being charged with serious offences for attacking the Panjim police station along with a large mob way back in 2008, Monserrate was booked for allegedly trafficking and raping a minor girl in the year 2016.
“The people of Panjim will once again vote for BJP. We are sure to retain the seat, which has been with the BJP for the last 25 years,” the CM added.
Ufazed by the negative comments against him, Monserrate, who was buoyed by his panel’s victory at Taleigao village panchayat, said his focus will be to develop Panjim city and to provide employment. “I have a two-point agenda, development and employment,” he said. “All results are new results. Every exam is a new exam. Panjim exam will be a new exam,” he added.
