Congress accuses Parrikar of poll code violations in Goa

Panaji, Feb 8 (IANS) Ahead of the Panaji assembly bye-election, the Congress has complained that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has allegedly violated the model code of conduct twice, which includes announcing the possible setting up of a helicopter manufacturing unit in Goa.

In its complaint to Goa's chief electoral officer (CEO) Sunday, the Congress has alleged that the former chief minister has also violated the code of conduct Feb 5 by announcing the inclusion of Panaji in the Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulb distribution scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"On Feb 6, while addressing the Goa Investment Summit 2015, Parrikar declared that he has plans to set up a helicopter manufacturing unit in Goa... On Feb 5, while campaigning for the BJP candidate, he managed to get Panaji placed under the scheme for the LED bulb distribution," Congress organising secretary Durgadas Kamat said, claiming these both were violations of the model code of conduct.

The Panaji assembly bye-election was necessitated after elevation of Parrikar as the defence minister in November last year and he quit his assembly seat in Goa.

The defence minister has been camping in Goa for the past several days, campaigning for his Bharatiya Janata party candidate from Panaji constituency.

The Chief Election Officer's office confirmed that it has received the complaint. It said that an inquiry would be started soon.

Four candidates are contesting the bye-poll, which includes Parrikar's former aide Sidharth Kunkolienkar (BJP), current mayor Surendra Furtado (Congress) and two Independents.