The BJP-backed panel under the banner of Yuva Morcha triumphed at the Goa University elections garnering nine seats in the council. Tensions, however, prevailedrnearlier in the day after an altercation with the opposition Congress-backed National Students Union of India (NSUI) supporters.
PANAJI
While elections were underway during the day, scuffles occurred outside where NSUI students were allegedly beaten up by representatives of the BJP Yuva Morcha (BJPYM). One of the University class representatives (UCR) was allegedly pulled out of a car and beaten up. BJPYM members have, however, accused one of the opposition members of using foul language on their candidate. At a press conference to announce their victory, BJPYM president Sharmad Pai Raiturkar said, “A youth in a Swift (car) yelled bad words at our candidate. In today’s age, the youth are not the ones to keep quiet.” However, NSUI president
Ahraz Mulla said nothing of the sort had occurred and instead called the entire incident
anti-democratic. “Not only BJPYM students but also senior members of BJP were present in the University building. We found this to be political. It turned un-democratic when the UCR who was going to vote for us was beaten up,” Mulla said. Later, Mulla alleged that
a group of around 100 from BJP threatened him and slapped the UCR. Mulla also added that NSUI was in the process of filing police complaint against the BJPYM. Art and Culture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar from the BJP congratulated the winners - Siddesh Satish Naik, Tushar Kerkar and Aditi Narvekar and appreciated the work they had
done.
