Allegations of electoral misconduct at Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj; cry of faulplay lead to police intervention

Goa Khabar : Four members of the Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj have filed a formal complaint alleging serious irregularities in the society’s recent election process. The complaint, submitted to local police and registrar authorities against Mr. Vishwas Gaude, Kushali Velip and other managing committee members outlines multiple violations of the organization’s bylaws during its Annual General Body Meeting held Yesterday.

Key allegations include:

1. The meeting commenced one hour earlier than the officially announced time, preventing many members from participating.
2. Proper election procedures were not followed for the position of President, with one candidate’s nomination allegedly ignored.
3. No nominations or elections were held for other managing committee positions, contrary to established bylaws.
4. The meeting was abruptly concluded when concerned members called for police intervention.

The complainants – Govind Shirodkar, Ravindra Gaonkar, Ravindra Velip, and Premanand Gaude – assert that these actions amount to fraud against the society’s members. They have called for an investigation and for the election results to be nullified.

Police Intervention

The Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj, founded in 1962, is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Its leadership elections are mandated to occur every three years. The complainants warn that failure to address these allegations could lead to conflicts within the community and potentially impact several proposed projects and assets associated with the society.

Local authorities have been urged to investigate the matter promptly to prevent any escalation of tensions among society members.

Minister Govind Gaude and Ex-Minister Prakash Velip were present during the meeting but reportedly remained silent observers. It is alleged that the AGM and elections were hastily concluded to avoid discussions about a contentious land issue involving the society and the Directorate of Tribal Welfare wherein the land of the Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj has been handed over to the Directorate of Tribal Welfare without following the proper procedure and without taking proper approval from the AGM. The tribal welfare has proposed for construction of a building on the said land for a whooping amount of Rs. 85.79 Cr and one part of it was agreed to be allotted to the Samaj, but till date no such plans have been tabled before the AGM keeping all the members in dark. The members are of opinion that the said figures have been exaggerated and there is corruption involved. The said land matter is now sub-judice under Civil Suit bearing No.21/2021 before the Court of District Judge-I, Mapusa court and Mutation Appeal bearing No.77248 before Jt. Mamlatdar, Bardez.

Mr. Vishwas Gaude, who has been the organization’s President for the last 3 years, is known to be a close ally of Minister Govind Gaude.