MARGAO
Accusing his opponents of trying to malign his name, GFA presidential candidate Caitano Fernandes has said that "the overwhelming support shown by clubs towards his candidature" has rattled his opponents and they have now resorted to "cheap tricks to malign his name".
The other presidential contender, Welvin Menezes had filed a complaint with the Returning Officer stating that Caitano has a case filed against him under Section 408 of the Indian Penal Code, registered under No. IPC/261/2017 in the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
However, a copy of the order available with this daily shows that Caitano has been acquitted in the said case. "Heard Ld. Asst. Public Prosecutor Smt. S. Sawant and Ld. Adv. M. Usgaonkar. The application under Section 320 of Cr. P.C. is allowed. Consequently, accused stands discharged of offence punishable under Section 408 of IPC," states the order.
"I had in 2005 started a company along with my business partner. Things did not reach desirable standards for us and I had to move out of the company. When you run an extremely successful business, such things are bound to happen. My opponents should not brand me a criminal. I am not a politician," said Caitano.
A day after Welvin filed the complaint, the Returning Officer Adv Pramod Kamat dismissed the complaint on the grounds of it being time barred. He did not however go into the merits of the case on record.
"I have been visiting clubs. There has been tremendous support for me. My vision plan has been well received. In fact, clubs are congratulating me for preparing such a detailed document outlining my plans for the GFA. They are lamenting that the other candidates have nothing to show in spite of being in football for so many years," said Caitano.
Last week, Caitano released his vision document for the GFA which included relaying of the artificial pitch at Duler within six months, grant in aid scheme for village clubs, a tie-up with GFDC for youth development, an improvement in the leagues and a complete overhaul of women's and youth football. He also promised an insurance scheme for referees and team officials as well as decentralisation of player registrations by opening offices in Duler, Vasco and Margao, in addition to Panaji.
"An election is a fair fight. I would have loved to fight Welvin and Savio purely on my vision for Goan football. By spreading canards on social media they are only proving that they cannot fight this election on vision and work and instead have to resort to such cheap tricks. They are driving away a person who wants to genuinely improve Goan football and put in his own personal funds to develop the game," Caitano said.
With the elections just a week away, a hotly contested triangular contest is on the cards. Off the field though, Caitano's campaign has been gathering steam and is progressing steadily.
