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THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA: Congress candidate Mahadev Naik on Tuesday filed his nomination for the Shiroda bypoll, but the event was sidelined after Naik courted controversy by claiming that people were free to accept benefits for votes, but they should eventually vote for the Congress.
Naik filed his nomination before presiding officer Kedar Naik in the presence of former chief minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate, Cuncolim Clafasio Dias, Velim MLA Philip Nery Rodrigues and Congress supporters.
“People should not ask for anything, but if someone gives something for votes then they should take it as a present. However, please vote for the Congress,” said Mahadev Naik, while speaking to media persons.
Mindful that Mahadev could be pulled up for violating the code of conduct, Ravi Naik tried to stop Mahadev from making the statement, but the Congress candidate remained unperturbed and continued with the statement.
Mahadev Naik said the people of Shiroda would teach a lesson to defectors and set an example.
“People have decided not to lose this opportunity to defeat a defector, who has betrayed the Congress and voters of Shiroda. The people of Shiroda will teach this defector a lesson,” Naik said.
“My voters from the other party, who were with me, have come out in my support,” he added.
Mahadev Naik had entered the Congress shortly after Subhash Shirodkar had resigned as Congress MLA and joined the BJP.
Ravi Naik said the Congress Lok Sabha candidate Francis Sardinha and Mahadev Naik would work together to ensure the victory of both candidates.
“There will be surprise results. We will form the government at the centre and in the State,” he said.
