Team Goemkarponn
PONDA: The Returning Officer has accepted the nomination of AAP candidate Geetesh Naik for the Ponda by-election, overruling the objections raised by Congress against his candidature.
Following the decision, AAP leader Valmiki Naik, along with state leader Sandesh Teleikar Dessai and Adv. Surel Tilve, strongly criticised Congress and Advocate Carlos Ferreira, accusing him of overstepping his role.
The leaders alleged that attempts were made to prevent a Bhandari youth from contesting the election, calling it reflective of a discriminatory mindset.
Valmiki Naik stated that a leader from a humble and poor family had aspired to serve the community, but Congress and its lobby allegedly tried to put him down, terming the objections as another act of defamation.
He added that justice has prevailed with the Returning Officer accepting the nomination.
AAP has demanded a public apology from Advocate Carlos Ferreira.
The party warned that failure to apologise would lead to a defamation case being filed against him.
