Outcry after losing side doubts 'authenticity' of victorious candidates
BELAGAVI
While optimism prevails among Goan settlers in the Ghats region after the thumping victory of the Raimundo Ferrao panel at the Tivim Comunidade polls, there has been resentment over allegations levelled by some members of the losing group.
The Gauncars, mainly residing in the Belagavi and Khanapur talukas,have been upbeat with the recent victory in the Tivim Comunidade election, as this has boosted their hopes of regaining their rights over comunidades in Goa.
However, Goan settlers in this region have also expressed their anger over the allegations levelled against them, questioning their very authenticity as Gauncars.
“All the allegations made by some members of the losing panel are baseless and fraudulent. Our names are registered in the Matricula dos Jonoeiros da Comunidade book, the most authentic register that maintains records from the Portuguese era,” stated Augustine Pereira, president of Ghatmathyvoillya Zonkarancho Ekvott.
“All of us possess proof that identifies as Gauncars. Hence, how the opposition can question our very authenticity?” asked Pereira.
“Ironically, supporters allegedly linked to the same team, who are now levelling baseless allegations against us, were seen making rounds before the elections to woo the voters in the villages in Khanapur taluka by luring them in various ways. I have been studying the comunidade laws for last 25 years, and am engaged in creating awareness among the Zonkars who have settled outside Goa.”
A flurry of reactions expressing joy after the long-cherished victory in Tivim, as well as and expressing anguish against the allegations leveled by the rival group are making rounds on the social media too.
“Along with us Zonkars who have now settled in places like Bangaluru, Pune and Mumbai are overwhelmed by the development. This has also given a moral boost to our unity and a feeling of belonging to Goa,” Agapito Pereira, a noted entrepreneur and vice-president of the Zonkarancho Ekvott, told The Goan.
“Our commitment has further deepened, and our confident is on the rise. We will do everything to re-establish our rights over our respective comunidades,” he said.
Meanwhile, newly-elected Tivim Comunidade president Raimundo Ferrao has refuted allegations of the rival group, and termed that the allegations "as being made only to save their face after the defeat."
“We will fight the allegations in the court, if required, and prove them wrong. We came to this comunidade three years ago to fight against corruption which was at peak since last couple of years. I thank the Zonkars for reposing their confidence in us, as they believed in our clean and transparent style of working. Our fight against corrupt elements will continue with the support of Zonkars aka Gaunkars in the upper ghats region,” Ferrao told The Goan.
