MARGAO: There was major unrest at the Vijai Sardesai camp after the State government refused to budge no the matter of granting OBC certificates to one of its candidates, even as the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) tried to intervene on Thursday.

It maybe recalled that the delimitation and reservation of wards has prevented Sardesai’s lieutenant Johnny Crasto from contesting in Ward 3 after it was reserved for OBC women.

For the last two days, there has been a tussle with the Salcete Deputy Collector Ajit Panchwadkar, who Vijai has accused of conflict of interest given that his sister is contesting the municipal elections with the backing of the BJP.

Sardesai started crying foul ever since the Crasto’s wife Saluzinha Crasto was not granted an OBC certificate even though she had applied for the carpenter (Mesta) background. Claiming that it was an insult to the Catholic community, as her religious background was used while denying her a certificate, Sardesai had filed a complaint with the election commissioner and NCM. The latter wrote to the government stating that Crasto’s wife should be given her certificate.

While Sardesai accused the BJP of manipulation, he pointed out that a candidate from the BJP panel had first applied forn an OBC certificate under the Mesta category, but he later changed to the toddy tapper category.

Johnny’s sister Rita Crasto has filed her nomination along with Saluzinha, who stated that she will continue to challenge the government’s decision until the scrutiny process of forms is completed.