NCP State President Jose Philip D'Souza during a Dahi Handi contest at Dabolim.
VASCO
NCP State President Jose Philip D'Souza had been announcing his desire to contest the upcoming assembly elections from the Dabolim constituency but had not made his presence felt in the area all these days.
That is, until now. On Tuesday evening, D'Souza made his first public presence by attending a Dahi Handi contest, sending a clear message to a large gathering that he is keen to contest from the Dabolim constituency.
Addressing a large gathering, D'Souza said he had arrived in the area of Dabolim for the first time after 30 years.
"The navy wanted to acquire this area and compound it as well, but I did not allow this to happen. Every elected candidate must take care of their people,” said D'Souza.
“I want to work for the constituents of Dabolim and I will try and come again and visit all houses in the constituency during the Ganesh festival.”
“I chose this occasion of Dahi Handi to arrive in Dabolim constituency for the first time. It is also nice that many healthcare workers were also felicitated on the occasion,” said D'Souza.
Dahi Handi stopped
Vasco police stopped the Dahi Handi event at Dabolim on Tuesday evening on grounds that the organisers had not sought permission for the event, but many suspected the police action to have been politically motivated.
NCP State President Jose Philip D'Souza, who was the chief guest, had already left the venue by the time police arrived on the site.
While many at the venue claimed the police action had been politically motivated, especially since D'Souza was linked to the event, sources at the Vasco police station said the organisers had not taken prior permissions from authorities.
"It is true that Vasco police had to stop the function but there is no political interference in this decision.”
“We acted on a complaint by some person and we realised that the event organisers had not taken permission. Hence, we rushed to the site and stopped the event," said the source.
