Team Herald
PONDA: All eyes were on Congress’s Shiroda candidate Mahadev Naik, who found himself in a tough spot, with the Election Commission cautioning him against holding his son’s wedding, which is scheduled three days before the polling date, wherein, the wedding related expenses would have to be included in his election expenditure list.
Recently the election commission had asked him to either postpone the wedding including the reception to anytime after the elections or to hold it with just his close family members. One of the reasons put forward was the possibility of Mahadev using the event for elections gains.
With the wedding scheduled for April 20, three days before the polling date, the District Election Officer (DEO) and Returning Officer for South Goa, has stated that they would be keeping a close watch on the Mahadev’s expenditure, including the wedding related celebrations.
When Mahadev was asked whether he had received any notice to postpone the wedding, Mahadev stated that he had not received any such notice btu had been called by the Election officials in Margao to discuss the issue. He informed that the election officials had indeed cautioned him about his son’s wedding, which is taking place during the code of conduct and how this would mean, including the wedding expenditure into his election expenditure list. However, he added that he had conveyed to them that the wedding cannot be postponed as the marriage registration has already been done earlier.
“I was asked to postpone the wedding but why should I postpone it. The election officials can do their duty and even video record the expenditure related activities. But the wedding will take place as scheduled on April 20, at Sungrace Garden Bethora, however the however the ‘muhurat (timing) of the marriage has been rescheduled from 12.38 pm to 3.02 pm after discussing with the relatives of bride. As timing is rescheduled to 3.02 pm now, only thing that will happen is that I will not offer food or lunch to the guests attending the wedding,” said Mahadev.
He alleged that his rival candidates are frustrated and that the entire complaint against the wedding was part of a conspiracy against him.
“The only expenditure will be on the hall, chairs, and decorations. There will be no question of gold ornaments as I have already submitted details on my nomination form, which has been filed before the returning officer, “added Mahadev.
It is learnt that Rs 20 lakh is the permissible limit for the candidates contesting elections for by-polls. If wedding celebrations is held and expenditure limit exceeds then the candidates becomes liable for disqualification.
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Congress downplays infighting
PONDA: Reacting to the recent developments wherein Congress Shiroda Block President Sunil Sawkar was found campaigning for BJP’s candidate Subhash Shirodkar, Congress’s candidate Mahadev Naik said it was expected and that it would not have any impact on the party’s prospects in Ponda. “People themselves can judge the developments as to why it has happened and the motive behind it. People know about the statements made by Sunil regarding his political stance at the time of Subhash defecting from Congress,” said Mahadev. He added that as Sunil was just looking for excuses to oppose him as he was Subhash’s supporter. Naik rejected criticism about the lack of development, and said there had been all- round development during his term as a minister. He added that solving the unemployment issue would be his first and topmost priority and he went on to explain how he had brought in some industries where some youngsters had got jobs but he was not satisfied as there were still many others who are still unemployed.
