Ind candidate, saffron party suspect hand of opposition behind episode
MARGAO
Handbills on BJP letterhead found at prominent places in Navelim Zilla Panchayat constituency early Saturday morning just before voting triggered a row of sorts in the otherwise peaceful polling.
While the BJP leaders rushed to the Margao police station and the office of the Returning Officer to lodge a complaint, Independent candidate, Cipru Cardozo suspected the hand of the opposition behind the episode, saying it was intended to misguide the voters just ahead of polling.
In the complaint lodged with the Returning Officer John Fernandes and the Margao Police, BJP Navelim Mandal President Paresh Naik stated that unknown persons from the opposition have illegally used the BJP party letter head and symbol to malign the party image during the by-poll.
Condemning the fake and illegal propaganda using the party symbol, the BJP demanded strict action against the culprits involved in the incident.
The message on the party letter head stated that the upcoming Navelim by-poll is crucial for the party, alleging that Cipru had always been a valuable member of the party, who supported the party in various capacities in the Zilla Panchayat.
It further reads: “In return to this camaraderie, we need to support him in this crucial fight. Hence, we should put all our force behind Cipru to ensure his victory. It is also decided that Cipru will be formally inducted into BJP after he emerges victorious. Our voters must be informed that a vote to Cipru is a vote for the BJP and Swayampurna.
Independent candidate, Cipru and BJP leader Ulhas Tuemkar has condemned the incident. “We had found the handbills along the roadside in Navelim village. We have demanded the police to nab the culprits,” Ulhas demanded.
Returning Officer files complaint with Margao police
MARGAO: Returning Officer for the Navelim ZP by-poll, John Fernandes has formally lodged a complaint with the Margao Police to investigate into the complaint lodged by the BJP into the misuse of the party letterhead and symbol.
Fernandes said the complaint received from the BJP leaders was forwarded to the Margao Police to investigate and take further action. “My office was in receipt of the complaint filed by the BJP leaders over the illegal use of party letterhead and symbol. I have asked the police to investigate the matter and take action,” he added.
