PANAJI
Atanasio Monserrate and Valmiki Naik, candidates of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), respectively, on Friday filed nominations for the Panaji bypoll seat.
Deputy Collector and Returning Officer (RO) for the by-poll Vivek IAS accepted their nominations separately at the Collectorate.
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, former CM and Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane, and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik were present while Monserrate filed his nomination.
Speaking to the media, Monserrate expressed that if he won, he would have just two-and-half years term remaining to prove his worth.
“We’re going with a positive mind. I am capable of doing this. I’ve got a two-point agenda for Panaji -- development and employment,” Monserrate said.
When asked about the court cases against him which are pending in court, he answered, “Who has framed and defamed me will be out, once the court verdict is out. The buck stops with the court,” he said.
Meanwhile, a little after Monserrate filed his nomination, AAP state convenor and South Goa Lok Sabha candidate Elvis Gomes, along with Dr Oscar Rebello, were present when Valmiki Naik filed his nomination.
Addressing the press, Valmiki said that the choice for Panjimites this election was clear, as the people of the capital city wanted neither family raj (if Utpal Parrikar is chosen as the BJP candidate) nor Congress as the party had given the ticket to Monserrate, whom they themselves had suspended for six years.
Valmiki said that Monserrate was even capable of withdrawing his candidature at the last moment. AAP has promised to take up issues like environment and the casinos if voted to power. Both parties have stated that they will come out with Panaji-specific manifestos shortly. While the supporters of Monserrate came out in full swing to support him at the Collectorate, the AAP too put up a show of strength, with volunteers marching from the Azad Maidan to the Collectorate in support of their candidate.
Dr Oscar Rebello, who had not campaigned for the AAP for the Lok Sabha elections, told The Goan that he had come out in support of Naik as he felt that Naik was a wonderful candidate, and that this being an Assembly election was a different case.
“I’m always an AAP person, but the assembly elections this time is one kettle of fish and the parliamentary election another kettle of fish...and like a Goan I choose my fish,” explained Rebello.
