MARGAO
In a significant development, the Aam Aadmi Party has fielded ex-footballer Luis Barretto for the Nuvem seat.
Former MLA Wilfred D’Sa and wife Freda D’Sa, who heads the Nuvem village panchayat as Sarpanch has extended support to Barretto’s candidature.
While Freda accompanied Barretto to the office of the Returning Officer for filing of nomination paper, Wilfred was seen seated in his vehicle. Freda told the media that she has decided to support Luis Barretto for the Nuvem seat contesting on the AAP banner. Saying that she has never joined any political party in her career, Freda said she has only extended support to the good candidates in the fray.
Explaining his position, former MLA Wilfred D’Sa said that some Congress leaders had showed interest in fielding Luis Barretto for the Nuvem seat. He, however, said that the proposal did not materialised after the Congress insisted that he get Nelly Rodrigues out of the Colva seat. “After I made my position clear, the Congress leaders said they will not field Luis. However, Luis called me and other supporters to inform that Aam Aadmi Party has offered him the Nuvem seat. We all told Luis to go ahead.”
Meanwhile, accompanied by party MLA, Cruz Silva, AAP candidates Valerie Fernandes (Navelim), Joseph Cardozo (Curtorim), Isaca Fernandes (Velim) filed their nomination papers.
