WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: The South Goa Returning Officer and the District Collector Asvin Chandru issued a show-cause notice to the Aam Aadmi Party's Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, for allegedly violating the Election Code of Conduct during an election campaign held in Curchorem on April 6.
The District Collector stated that he had received a detailed report regarding the alleged code violation from the Assistant Returning Officer of the Curchorem Assembly Block, which was backed by the report of the flying squad.
According to the notice, Viegas and others have been accused of holding a public meeting near Shivaji Circle in Curchorem at 7 pm on April 6 under the banner of I.N.D.I.A alliance, and using a loudspeaker without obtaining prior permission from the competent authorities.
The notice asked the MLA to reply within 48 hours as to why appropriate action should not be taken against him for violation of the code of conduct.
The notice also warned that failure on Viegas' part to reply would result in action being initiated against him. "In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Returning officer/District Election officer will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you," stated the notice dated April 8.
Venzy rejects allegations, says govt wants to silence Opposition
MARGAO: Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas rejected the allegations that he violated the code of conduct and questioned the intent of government officials he said are targeting the
Opposition.
The AAP MLA who handed over his reply to the South Goa District Collector and Returning Officer in person, rejected the claim that there was a public meeting. He said it was an informal meeting with a few people and questioned how the officials could describe it as a public meeting.
Secondly, he said they only had a small speaker, and there was a sound level of less than 50 decibels, and thus it was not a loud speaker.
Furthermore, Viegas pointed out that he was not the candidate and neither did he organise the meeting.
While speaking to media persons, Viegas said if the officials were targeting MLAs directly, that too based on alleged false information, tomorrow they could target the common man in the election run-up.
Viegas recalled the action taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against AAP central leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said if the officials want to silence the opposition further, they would put elected legislators like him behind bars too before the elections.
The MLA added that action was taken because the meeting was held in Curchorem, which had struck fear amongst the ruling party in that Assembly segment.
