THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: Claiming he was being pressurised by the Congress and BJP to withdraw as independent candidate for the Mapusa bypoll, Mapusa Merchant Association President and former Mapusa mayor Ashish Shirodkar on Monday accused the Congress candidate of playing politics along religious lines.
"There has been tremendous pressure on me from the BJP and Congress party to withdraw my candidature from the bypoll. The Congress candidate has been sending people to persuade me to withdraw, on grounds that my candidature would lead to split in votes and would enable a candidate from the minority community to win the poll. The Congress candidate is playing politics based on religion,” alleged Ashish, while addressing a news conference in Mapusa.
“Congress party workers have been telling voters that if there is a split in Hindu votes, there is a strong chance a candidate from the minority community will win,” he alleged.
Ashish, however, said he was determined to contest the election to develop Mapusa constituency within three years.
“The BJP and Congress are scared of my vision and are trying to mislead voters, but I am confident of winning the election by a margin of over 10,000 votes. I am confident that silent voters will play a major role in this election," said Shirodkar.
“If elected as MLA, I will support that government eager to develop all pending development projects in Mapusa,” he added.
