Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and Aam Aadmi Party’s youth wing have lodged cross complaints following the September 19 protest over the assault on social activist Rama Kankonkar.
BJYM president Tushar Kelkar filed a complaint at the Panaji police station against Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, alleging they trespassed into the BJP office during the protest and attempted to intimidate party staff. He claimed that besides leading protesters into the premises, both leaders acted unlawfully.
In response, AAP’s youth wing filed a counter-complaint against BJYM members, accusing them of issuing threats to Viegas and other protesters. AAP vice-president Chetan Kamat dismissed Kelkar’s allegations as an attempt to divert attention from the brutal September 18 attack on Kankonkar, for which seven accused, including history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo, have been arrested.
Kamat further advised Kelkar to “read a book on former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee” to learn about public conduct and leadership. AAP youth wing president Rohan Naik also accused the BJP of raking up the trespass issue only to shift focus from the assault case.
The war of words and police complaints underscore the mounting political tensions in Goa in the wake of the attack.
