PANAJIrThe Bombay High Court of Goa has issued ‘summons’ to three sitting MLAs -- Michael Lobo, Pandurang Madkaikar and Milind Naik -- all from the BJP after petitions were filed challenging their election. rWhile the other petitions were filed on grounds alleging corrupt practices, the petition against Milind Naik has been filed seeking a recount of the VVPAT slips given the low margin between victory and defeat. rFour election petitions came up before the Bombay High Court at Goa with Lobo’s election being challenged by Joseph Sequeira, Madkaikar’s election being challenged by two persons Xavier Fialho and Surendra Tari Volvoikar, while Milind Naik’s petition has been filed by Sankalp Amonkar. rSpeaking to The Goan Adv Pronoy Kamat who is representing Joseph Sequeira said the “summons” issued to the Lobo is a notice to respond after the petition came up before the High Court. r“The grounds of the petition are various corrupt practices in the run-up to the election,” Kamat told The Goan. rOn the other hand, speaking to The Goan, Sankalp Amonkar said his only grievance is that the returning officer declined his request for a recount of the VVPAT slips which has forced him to approach the court. r“The margin was only 38 votes. I had sought for a recount of the VVPAT slips which was declined by the returning officer. The petition has been admitted, and they have been asked to respond in three weeks,” Amonkar told The Goan.
