Team Herald
PANJIM: The Congress Party on Monday filed a complaint before State Election Commission (SEC) against Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Deputy Chief Ministers Chandrakant Kavlekar and Manohar Ajgaonkar for flagging off carnival float parade in violation of Model Code of Conduct.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Secretary Amarnath Panjikar in his complaint has demanded action against chief minister and deputy chief ministers for flagging off carnival float parade in Panjim on February 22 and in Margao on February 23 in violation of Model Code of Conduct, which is in force in wake of Zilla Panchayat elections.
The complaint also mentions about the speech given by Ajgaonkar at Margao float blatantly violating the code. The complaint also demands action against Tourism Department officials for violating the instructions issued by SEC and allowing the political functionaries to openly use the platform of carnival, organised by the department.
Panjikar said that SEC letter to Director Tourism on February 21, clearly states that “no political functionary should inaugurate or close the function or deliver speech all throughout the event”.
“The chief minister and tourism minister not only flagged off the parade, but has also given a speech which was totally political and targeting certain section of society,” the complaint mentioned.
The Congress has also filed a complaint before the Chief Secretary against the Director and other officials of Tourism Department for not following the Model Code of Conduct and instructions issued by the SEC. The complaint also demands action against the Commercial Float of Owl Night Club which has participated in the carnival parade.
