PANJIM: A petition has been filed with the Election Commission of India against the swearing-in of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and his cabinet stating that it is a violation of model code of conduct.
Sadanand Vaingankar, the national vice-president of Forward Democratic Labour Party (FDLP), has written to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners, Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra.
In his petition, Sadanand stated, “The person who has been appointed as a Chief Minister belongs to a particular community (who is majority in the State of Goa and to be more specific from Bahujan Samaj). His appointment and so also appointment of two deputy chief ministers and other Cabinet ministers are only with the intent to influence the manner in which the voters belonging to different communities are going to vote in the upcoming election.”
Demanding action against the swearing-in, he stated, “(The appointment) is clearly in violation of model code of conduct of Election Commission of India, as Part VII (Party in Power) of Model Code of Conduct speaks at point 6(d) that ‘From the time elections are announced by Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not make any ad-hoc appointments in Government, Public Undertakings etc which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power’.”
Stating that the distribution of portfolios would be done on the basis of particular community, region and area, Sadanand said that the decision would influence the manner in which the voters cast their votes in the upcoming election and would favour the incumbent government.
Sadanand has demanded action against government officers, political parties and their office bearers involved in “violation” of model code of conduct and book them.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jitendra Deshprabhu tweeting in support of the petition, stated that the petition brings to light the gross violation of the model code of conduct.
Speaking to Herald, he said, “The Governor had no business and had to declare Governor’s rule. She could not have inducted any minister or appointed the chief minister. It is to entice the parties which are part of the coalition.”
