PANAJI: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Luizinho Faleiro on Monday alleged that some fresh Army recruits were allowed to vote on February without verifying whether they were registered voters in their respective places.
Mr. Faleiro is contesting from Navelim constituency of south Goa.
“I had to face ‘surgical strike’ of the people, some of the from Armed forces. .. Its very very unfortunate. I have got high regards for Armed forces. During the declaration of election came names of nearly 700 recruits, freshly recruited service people as voters. I went and met one Col Dhani and one Mr. Rao, incharge of this voting list. They told me that no way anyone was allowed to meet them (voters). Then I told them, have the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) gone and met them (voters). They said no. No BLO is allowed. If you have to say something, talk to me,’’ said Mr. Faleiro.
‘’I do not know what is the idea? As per the law, the jawans are allowed to register as voters. But there is a very clear cut directions of the Supreme Court and of the Election Commission that the Election Officers should first find out whether they (voters) are registered in their respective places or not. There is compulsory provision that they should verify that they are not registered there, then only they can vote. Some had said it was surgical strike,’’ Mr. Faleiro said.
When asked would be party take legal recourse, Mr Faleiro quipped, “We will take appropriate decision. Party will take appropriate decision.”
‘Will win 23 seats’
Mr. Faleiro claimed that the Congress will win at least 23 of the 40 Assembly seats.
Addressing a press conference here , he said, “We are expecting in our very conservative estimation more than 23 candidates and if the wave during the last three days was any indication we are looking at 24 to 25 seats.’’
The party had fielded its candidates in 37 constituencies and extended support to other candidates in three constituencies.
In the multi-cornered contest, already the ruling BJP has claimed that it will increase its present tally of 21 seats to 26.
Besides Congress and the BJP, Aam Adami Party, alliance of MGP-Goa Suraksha Manch-Shiv Sena contested the elections, the
results for which will be declared on March 11.
