MARGAO: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Vice President Pratima Coutinho and party volunteers, who had gone to present a cake to BJP MLA Wilfred D’Sa on his second anniversary of defection, found themselves at the receiving end as they were allegedly attacked with tomatoes and eggs by the legislator’s supporters, on Saturday.
Tension rent the air as supporters of both the parties clashed against each other at MLA’s residence.
Wilfred’s supporters said Pratima had no right to come to Nuvem and claimed that the MLA has carried out various developmental works in the constituency.
On Saturday afternoon, under the leadership of Pratima, few AAP volunteers with four vehicles, mostly from Nuvem visited Wilfred’s house to present him a cake on his second anniversary of defection. The MLA’s supporters, who were already present at the spot, objected to this behaviour of the AAP volunteers.
They did not allow the AAP volunteers to enter the MLA’s house and even shouted slogans against them. Some unknown persons hurled eggs and tomatoes at AAP volunteers and tried to push them.
On receiving information about the incident, Maina-Curtorim Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
Addressing the media persons, one of the MLA’s supporters said, “Pratima has no right to come to the Nuvem Constituency as she is from Navelim. Yes, we were Congress supporters earlier however, now we all are happy with the work done by Wilfred.”
Wilfred’s wife Freeda said, “They had a meeting of workers and AAP volunteers came here to create an unnecessary law and order problem. Pratima is creating havoc not only in Nuvem but also in the State. Wilfred has carried out several developmental works by joining the BJP government. It is sad to see that Goans are getting carried away with AAP.”
She said defection is at one point but the AAP should have not created such a situation.
Pratima Coutinho said, “We maintained discipline so that cake can be presented to him. As a State vice-president, I had given the responsibility to present a cake to Wilfred. But they hurled eggs and tomatoes at us, which is totally objectionable.”
Meanwhile, AAP leader Captain Venzy Veigas also presented a cake to Water Resources Minister and Velim MLA Filipe Nery Rodrigues.
