MARGAO
Moments after the Goa Forward party expelling Frank Viegas from the party’s primary membership, who heads Chinchinim village as sarpanch, unveiled plans to throw his hat in the Velim ZP election ring.
Goa Forward party leader Durgadas Kamat told The Goan that the party has expelled Frank from the regional outfit after the party came to know through sources that the ousted State executive member was planning to contest the upcoming polls as an Independent. In fact, Goa Forward General Secretary Mohandas Lolienkar, in a statement said, Frank has been expelled from the party after a detailed review determined that the latter was engaged in actions that were inconsistent with the party’s principles and organisational discipline and unity in the interest of Goa.
Frank, however, told The Goan that he has decided to contest the ZP polls from Velim as an Independent. “My supporters from my home village of Chinchinim as well as from Velim, Assolna and Ambelim have given me the green signal to contest the coming polls. Everyone in Velim is asking the same question – why has the Congress nominated the sitting ZP member when the seat is open for the general category in the ensuing polls,” he said.
Sources said that Frank is expected to file his nomination papers for the Velim seat on December 8, coinciding with his 50th birthday celebrations.
Besides hailing from Chinchinim village, the village having majority votes in the Velim ZP constituency, Frank is expected to tap the seafarers’ community for support given that he has been heading the seamen’s body Goa Seamen’s Association of India.
