Team Herald
MARGAO: Majorda Sarpanch Linet Vaz, along with several panchayat members, refuted the accusations levelled against her, another panch member, and the panchayat secretary, by fellow member Sharlet Fernandes.
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The controversy stems from statements made by Mahila Congress Chief Beena Naik, who criticised the BJP government for failing to ensure the safety and security of women in politics. Naik’s comments came after an alleged incident at a recent panchayat meeting where Fernandes, who is also the president of the Nuvem block Mahila Congress, claimed she was abused and threatened.
Addressing the media, Sarpanch Vaz strongly rebutted Naik’s remarks, branding the allegations by Fernandes as completely unfounded. Vaz argued that she is a woman too, while questioning why Naik had chosen to support Fernandes without first verifying the facts.
The dispute escalated last week when the Colva police registered an FIR against Sarpanch Vaz, Panch member Creson Antao, and Panchayat Secretary Custodio Faria following a complaint filed by Fernandes. In her complaint, Fernandes accused the Sarpanch and Antao of using abusive language and allegedly assaulting her during a discussion on a construction-related issue.
On Monday, both Vaz and Antao categorically denied these claims, labeling them as fabricated and “lacking any basis in reality”. They asserted that the accusations were politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing their reputations. They also explained what had happened at the panchayat meeting to share their version of what transpired and why the allegations made against them by Fernandes were false.
