------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.goacom.org/casa-de-goa/noticias.html -------------------------------------------------------
http://oheraldo.in/node/24767 Babush draws first blood RO accepts Monserrate as UGDP nominee BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, MAY 16 — The Congress party's attempt to ground Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate even before the Assembly elections backfired on Wednesday when its application objecting to Monserrate's nomination as a UGDP candidate was rejected by election officials. A tense legal battle before Returning Officer (RO) for Taleigao constituency Garima Gupta (IAS) ended in favour of Monserrate, whose nomination on the UGDP ticket was accepted. Monserrate's nomination papers filed on the Congress ticket were deemed automatically rejected. Monserrate and the UGDP were directed to submit affidavits to the Returning Officer, declaring that Monserrate was a member of the UGDP at the time of filing his nomination, the process for which ended at 3.00 pm on Tuesday, May 15. It may be recalled that Babush had filed his nomination papers as a Congress candidate on May 12 and later filed another two sets of papers – one as an Independent and the other as a UGDP nominee — on Tuesday. When the procedure of scrutiny began this morning, Independent candidate Somnath Zuwarkar, through his counsel, strongly objected to Monserrate's nomination on the UGDP ticket. However, Gupta offered a fair chance to the objectors and the defendants to put forth their submissions. The hearing lasted nearly 35 minutes. The objector's advocate submitted that a candidate has a right to file nomination papers as a candidate of only one recognised political party. It was pointed out that Monserrate's move to resign from the Congress party and file his nomination on the UGDP ticket has jeopardized the former's interests and caused prejudice to it. Monserrate's counsel, former Advocate General A N S Nadkarni, defended the case on the grounds that there was no express prohibition on a candidate to file nominations from two parties. He said that objections could be raised only if the candidate was disqualified by the Constitution of India or under the Representation of People's Act — which was not so in this case. He also submitted that there were no technical grounds on which Monserrate had failed while complying with the nomination process. He said, "A candidate has a right to choose his party." He said that the objections raised by the opponents were baseless and should be rejected. Monserrate, who was tense throughout, later emerged from the Returning Officer's chamber looking delightful. He said, "This is the first round of victory." Earlier, Monserrate and Zuwarkar while waiting for the verdict, clashed verbally – vowing to defeat each other in the election. Meanwhile, the nomination of Jennifer Monserrate as the UGDP candidate was also confirmed at the time of scrutiny. -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. For trade enquiries contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------------------------------------
