MAPUSA
On the eve of the civic election in Mapusa, former vice-chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council and a BJP-backed candidate Marlene De’Souza is alleged to have threatened a voter from her ward to either support her in the election or face consequences.
In a video which has gone viral, D’Souza was allegedly found threatening the voter that she would not regularise her (voter’s) house if she (voter) was found supporting her rival.
The former vice-chairperson also warned the voter that she comes to know who votes for her and who does not in advance.
“Don’t waste your vote. He (rival candidate) will not do anything. Only we will help you. Now, you need to start paying up for your property. People have started paying. Now, you also pay up,” said D’Souza, who is the candidate of BJP’s Mapusa Development Front in Ward 8.
“Slowly, I will start regularising houses. I will not regularise your house. I will keep your house out if I get to know you are supporting some other candidate,” she was allegedly found saying in a little over one-minute video.
The former vice-chairperson has also warned the voter that she could find out who she (voter) has voted for.
“I am aware of who votes for me and who does not. We come to know in advance,” she said.
Later clarifying her position on social media, De'Souza said by spreading derogatory messages will not change facts.
"I took the initiative to block the extension of sewerage treatment plant to other areas, brought to the attention of the government about difficulty of crossing the NH66 and offered ample of help to my constituents during the lockdown," De'Souza said.
"Don't get misguided by misleading information circulated on WhatsApp and other social media," she added, ironically in a message posted on WhatsApp groups.
Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza declined to comment claiming that he was yet to get hold of the video.
