Goemkarponn Desk
TALEIGAO: The Opposition has alleged that their candidates contesting against Babush Monserrate panel in Taleigao Panchayat has been pressurised to withdraw from the race.
Speaking to media, Francis Coelho in the presence of Cecille Rodrigues said that their young candidate in ward No 1 Mayur Uskaikar has been pressurised since yesterday to withdraw by sending goons and other supporters to his house.
“We have fielded 9 candidates supported by RG, Congress and AAP against Babush Monserrate panel. All of them have filled forms out of their own free will. Now all of them are getting calls as tomorrow is the day for withdrawal,”said Rodrigues.
If there are any candidates wins unopposed tomorrow, that will not be because there was no opposition but because the opposition is crushed, alleged Francis.
“Where is the free and fair elections Babush has been talking about all the time? he questioned.
The last date of filing nominations was April 18. As per the SEC, there are 19,349 eligible voters out of whom 9,206 are males and 10,143 women.
The elections are to be held on non-party lines and the votes are to be cast through ballot papers. The expenditure limit for a candidate is Rs 40,000.
While Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate’s panel has fielded candidates in all 11 wards, few individuals are contesting against the panel candidates in other wards.