MAPUSA
As the second wave of coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the State, the deadly virus has claimed the life of the son of a BJP-backed candidate, who had unsuccessfully contested in the Mapusa Municipal Council election.
Nehal Madheshri (25), the only son of Deepak Madheshri, candidate of the BJP-backed panel breathed his last while undergoing treatment for Covid at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim on Monday morning.
A family member disclosed that young Nehal was tested positive for Covid around five days back and was home quarantined.
The family member further informed that on Monday morning, Nehal suddenly started gasping for breath and was immediately shifted to North Goa District Hospital from where he was moved to the GMC, where he passed away.
A former councillor informed that Nehal had actively canvassed along with his father during the entire election campaign from the time his dad was declared the candidate of the BJP-backed Mapusa Development Front.
He was also present in the counting hall two days after the election.
The former councillor further informed that a lot of people who had actively campaigned in the civic election in Mapusa have been tested positive for the virus.
“In some cases, entire families have been tested positive in various parts of Mapusa,” the ex-councillor said, requesting anonymity.
He further disclosed that in some instances, people who had been tested positive moved about carefree campaigning for their favourite candidates.
Several candidates who had contested in the civic election have been reportedly tested positive now and are home quarantined.
According to former MGP youth president, a resident of Mapusa, Adv Mahesh Rane, the civic election has played a big role in the steep rise in Covid cases in Mapusa.
“For the BJP, the election is supreme,” Rane said.
He said Goa needs at least a 15-day complete lockdown to bring the Covid graph down.
