BJP, Cong workers face-off in Panaji during Rafale protest

Workers of the BJP and the Congress had a face-off on the streets of Panaji Friday evening during a protest march organised by the saffron outfit over the Rafale deal issue.

The BJP organised the march to protest against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for "misguiding" the people of the country on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

Workers of both the parties filed cross-complaints at the Panaji police station, accusing each other of engaging in violence, assault and intimidation.

Panaji police inspector Siddhanth Shirodkar said FIRs have been filed on the respective complaints lodged by the BJP and the Congress.

BJP workers were protesting outside the Goa Congress headquarters in the state capital.

Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar, general secretary Satish Dhond and ministers Vishwajit Rane and Mauvin Godinho were leading the protest.

The situation turned tense when the Congress, in a sarcastic move, installed banners "welcoming BJP to explain their lies on Rafale deal". The main opposition also stationed its women wing leaders with flowers and snacks in their hands, waiting for BJP protestors.

According to eyewitnesses, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee president Pratima Coutinho mixed amongst BJP workers under the pretext of serving them snacks.

Coutinho, later addressing a press conference, alleged she was "mobbed by BJPs male workers".

She said BJP workers were furious over her gesture and even hurled footwear at her.

Goa BJP spokesman Damodar Naik, however, refuted her allegations and accused the Congress of "instigating the peaceful morcha".

"Congress purposely instigated the peaceful morcha which was held to expose their party leaders over the Rafale issue.

"They wanted to divert the issue that is why they instigated our workers with tricks like distributing snacks and offering flowers," said Naik, a former MLA.

He accused Coutinho of spitting water on the face of BJP workers.

"There is clear video footage. You can go through it. You will see how Congress workers were instigating the BJPs peaceful morcha. You will see how Pratima was spitting water on the crowd," said Naik.

Amid the melee, BJP workers burnt an effigy of Gandhi outside the Congress office.

A large number of police personnel were stationed outside the Congress office to ensure BJP and Congress workers don't clash with each other.

Coutinho displayed shoes and sandals which, she claimed, were thrown at her.

Showing bruises on her hands, she claimed Mahila Congress workers were attacked by men who were part of the BJP protest.

"I would call them goons of BJP. They were not looking like workers of BJP," she said.