MARGAO
A cautious United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) leadership has decided to keep on hold for the moment Santa Cruz MLA Babush Monserrate's plan to take over reigns of the regional party following a case of alleged rape of a minor girl against him.
UGDP's Secretary General Adv Anacleto Viegas, who is presently out of station, told The Goan that the party leaders will meet on Monday to review the situation arising out of Babush's arrest in the rape case. He conceded that the party was scheduled to set in motion the process to hold election to the UGDP Presidium around mid-May to pave way for Monserrate’s close aide to take over the party reign since the Santa Cruz Legislator cannot associate himself with any political party given his status as an unattached member.
“The UGDP will certainly think and deliberate over the emerging situation before taking a decision. We are taking stock of the emerging situation following the surrender and arrest of Babush in the rape of the minor girl," Adv Viegas said.
Asked whether the UGDP will keep on hold plans to call for the election of Party Presidium to facilitate Babush to take over the party reigns, Adv Viegas was categorical in saying that the party will have no option than to keep on hold the plan till everything returns to normal. “We will take a call in the next couple of days after reviewing the emerging situation," he added.
Incidentally, Adv Viegas’s sister and women right’s activist Auda Viegas, came out in the open demanding a thorough probe into the rape case. In fact, Auda was clear in saying that politicians cannot be role models for Goa as they tarnish the image of Goa, adding that people with such tendencies should be kept away from political offices in the interest of the State.
On Wednesday night, UGDP Vice President Adv Radharao Gracias declined to comment to The Goan whether the registration of the rape case against Babush Monserrate affect plans by the Santa Cruz Legislator to take over the party reigns. Adv Radharao, however, had said that the case registered against Babush Monserrate appeared a frame up giving his growing political clout after the victory in the elections for the Corporation of the City of Panaji.
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MARGAO
Bailancho Ekvott on Thursday demanded a thorough and quick investigation in the rape case registered against Santa Cruz MLA Babush Monserrate, with Auda Viegas saying that such politicians cannot be role models for Goa as they tarnish the image of Goa.
Addressing the media, Auda Viegas even went to the extent of saying that people with these tendencies should be kept away from political offices in the interest of the State. “The Child Welfare Committee for North Goa which is non-political and has the interest of the children in Goa has given its findings. There are indications of child abuse. The child has also undergone a medical examination," Auda said.
While demanding expeditious investigations into the case, Auda said, “if delayed, it will be injustice to the victim or the alleged accused and may be used as a political weapon."
“To add insult to injury, the victim minor girl has been accused of theft. The case should be properly investigated with the custodial interrogation of the accused," she demanded, while saying that the accused involved in the rape should be shown his place.
Stating that incidents of rape have been there in the past which have sometimes gone unreported, Auda said that now victims are coming forward and lodging their complaints. “Goa has been named as the second highest State in cases of rape of foreigners. It is also true that complaints involving white collared and the bold are getting media and public attention," she said.
Stating that the law should be allowed to take its own course, Auda said, “we cannot jump to conclusions when a rape case gets registered against any person occupying a chair in the topmost law making body of the State, the Legislature."
