MARGAO
The INDIA bloc faced a revolt for the Benaulim Zilla Panchayat by-poll when Congress general secretary Royla Fernandes quit the party to throw her hat in the election ring as an independent.
In another development, Goa Forward party member from Benaulim, fisherman Pele Fernandes has thrown his lot behind candidate Grrayfans Fernandes, who has filed his nomination as an independent.
The Returning officer has received a total of four nomination papers of INDIA bloc backed AAP candidate Joseph Pimenta and independents Royla Fernandes, Grrayfans Fernandes and Frank Fernandes.
Scrutiny of the nomination papers will take place on Thursday.
Royla told the media after filing her nomination papers as an independent candidate said she has quit the Congress party.
“I am sad that I had to resign from the Congress, but will also keep the party ideals in my heart and will work for the principles of the Congress”, she said.
Saying Congress workers from Benaulim were shocked after the Congress surrendered the seat to AAP under the guise of INDIA bloc, Royla reminded that the INDIA bloc objective was to save the Constitution and not to contest Zilla panchayat bye-poll. Moreover, she said that BJP has no presence in Benaulim, demanding to know why the INDIA bloc did not leave the seat for the local party workers to fight the bye-poll.
“We all supported Captain Viriato during the Lok Sabha polls. The police has charged me in the Chandor agitation along with Viriato and eight others. However, INDIA bloc was not required to fight the ZP bye-poll. In fact, we have to ensure that polls for the panchayat and Zilla panchayats should not be fought on party lines”, she added.
Independent candidate Grrayfans Fernandes filed his papers backed by Goa Forward member Pele Fernandes and Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier Fernandes.
Saying he enjoys the support of all sections of the society, Grrayfans said he has decided to contest with the backing of the Benaulim Sarpanch, fisherman Pele and supporters and well wishers across Benaulim.
Benaulim Sarpanch Xavier told the media the people have decided to back Grrayfans for the simple reason that the Congress did not take the members and block into confidence before extending support to the INDIA bloc. “The Benaulim block Congress had written a letter to the party, but there was no reply from the leadership. Hence, the people have decided to field a youth from Benaulim for the by-poll”, Xavier said.
