MAPUSA
Three nomination papers have been filed so far for the assembly election in Bardez taluka, which comprises of seven constituencies, officials said on Monday.
Independent MLA who recently joined the BJP, Rohan Khaunte has filed nomination from Porvorim assembly constituency, while former Congress MLA who later switched sides and joined the BJP, Nilkant Halarnkar has also submitted his papers from Tivim.
Ex-sarpanch of Nachinola, Pooja Mayekar was the third candidate who filed her nomination as Independent candidate from Aldona.
Khaunte is contesting for the third time while it’s the sixth innings on the assembly poll pitch for Halarnkar from Tivim constituency. Soon after filing his nomination, Rohan Khaunte said that the aim was to take the programmes of Porvorim and Goa ahead.
“Those who say ‘Together for Bardez’ is doing it for selfish interest. We are for Goa and we will work to win all the seven seats in Bardez,” Khaunte said, while addressing the media outside the government complex, Mapusa.
He said people of Siolim were aware how the ODP turned into a costly affair in Calangute. “One person is deciding who the candidates should be. When people are lobbying for their own men, indicate that the party is weak,” he said, training his guns on former minister Michael Lobo.
Tivim MLA, Nilkant Harlankar expressed confidence that his victory margin will be better than the previous elections. “In my political career, my voting graph has always climbed up. Last time I polled 11,000 votes. This time it will go up to 16,000. I will win by a margin of 5000 to 6000 votes,” Harlankar said.
He said all his supporters have remained with him even after he switched to the BJP and with additional strength of the BJP karyakartas he was better placed. The last day of filing nominations is January 28.
Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on January 29, while January 31 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations. Elections in the State will be held on February 14, while counting of all five states that go to polls will be taken up simultaneously on March 10.
Harlankar booked for violating ECI guidelines
MAPUSA: Colvale Police booked Tivim MLA and BJP candidate, Nilkant Harlankar for violating Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines vis-Ã -vis the Covid by campaigning with more than five persons during the door-to-door campaign in the constituency.
The ECI had issued directions restraining candidates from campaigning with more than five persons for the assembly elections in the wake of rising Covid cases. Halarnkar was found campaigning door-to-door with a large number of supporters on December 16.
On getting information, Election Officer Sneha Geette (IAS) lodged a complaint before the Colvale police on Sunday. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case against Halarnkar under sections 188 and 269 of the IPC.
PSI, Mandar Parab is conducting further investigation under the guidance of PI Somnath Majik.
