Team Herald
QUEPEM: Quepem had a peaceful voting during municipal polls in 14 booths of 13 wards except few heated moments between workers and with Oppn leaders in ward 7 and ward 9 upon Dy CM Babu Kavalekar’s visit to the polling stations. However, a completely violation of social distancing or maintaining of COVID protocols was witnessed in ward 1, 3 and 5. Overall 78.01 per cent voting was recorded in Quepem Municipal Council polls.
Kavalekar’s visit stoked a noisy argument between Congress party workers and BJP party workers in ward no 7 from where former chairpersons Dayesh Naik was contesting, and in ward 9 where Shreya Velip daughter of Prakash Velip was contesting same squabble was observed between Kavalekar’s supporters and AAP leaders Sandesh Telekar and Pratima Coutinho. APP leaders expressed their ire to deployed police and SDM Quepem asking how Deputy CM was allowed in the booths.
Pratima Coutinho said, “Today Deputy CM Babu Kavalekar violated code of conduct by entering the booth with PSO, and when we asked to presiding officer, he acted indifferently. It is totally unlawful act by deputy CM and authority.”
Altone D’Costa said that what has happened in ward 7 is totally against democracy, which is not expected during deputy CM’s presence, the election should have been done in sporting way.
Further Altone said “This time Quepem need change so we formed United Front of Quepem. Our aim is to do certain good things for welfare of people of Quepem, and to change scenario and complexion of municipal area. In last 20 years whatever this politics going on under the Quepem MLA should put full stop.”
He claimed that Thursday night some unlawful incidents were observed in ward 6 and 7. Some apparently tried influencing voters with their money and muscle power, he said. “Our panel will definitely gain majority and we will keep people’s trust and give clear and uncorrupt governance,” said D’ Costa.
Quepem MLA Kavalekar said, “I visited in all 13 wards of Quepem municipality, and we got good support. As we know we are going through pandemic situation so along with voting rights, we also should take proper precautions by wearing mask, keeping social distances which is necessity for every individual who come for vote. All polling booths were doing well as per protocol, which is need of hour today.”
Talking about the commotion ensued, he said, “You know some Opposition unnecessarily create scene against me, which I always ignore. In this election there are panels which are doing their advertising because people don’t know them. They are spreading awareness about their presence. They are doing their advertisement and various other activities,” said Kavelkar. “I don’t need such things because people know me very well, and this time I didn’t conduct meetings because I am always in touch with our people, everyday, he added
