Panaji, March 29 (IANS) The Congress Saturday demanded Goa's top poll officer be replaced, alleging his proximity to the chief minister and that he was sitting on complaints related to Model Code of Conduct violations.
Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat claimed the office of the chief electoral officer (CEO) was not acting on three complaints the party filed, one of which was a serious accusation against two employees of the Chief Minister's Office canvassing on Facebook for the BJP.
"We have no confidence in chief electoral officer Keshav Chandra. He has been siding with the BJP and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. We are writing to the Chief Election Commission to replace him," Kamat said.
He added that more than 10 days have passed since the Congress in a written complaint accused joint secretary to the chief minister, Siddharth Kuncolienkar, and special assistant to Parrikar, Giriraj Pai Vernekar, of canvassing for the BJP via their Facebook accounts.
"Even after 10 days, there has been no action or even a response from the CEO's office," Kamat said.
This inaction, according to the Congress, was spurring other officials drawing salaries from the exchequer to campaign for the ruling political parties.
"Lyndon Monteiro, an official on special duty to the power minister, drawing a salary from public money, is campaigning for the Goa Vikas Party (GVP), a partner in the ruling coalition. He even addressed a press conference yesterday (Friday)" Kamat said.
The Congress also claimed Chandra is now being accused of irregularities committed during his his earlier stint as the chief executive officer of the controversial Lusofonia Games.
"The Lusofonia Games was the chief minister's pet project. His proximity to Parrikar at that time is now telling in Chandra's discharge of duties as chief electoral officer. Therefore, we have asked the CEC to replace him," Kamat said.
Fit India Dialogue 2020: PM Modi said- My mother often asks if the son eats turmeric or not
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is today interacting with people who influence people for fitness du
After the Waqf law, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed for 'One Country, One Election
Bulldozers will roar continuously against encroachment and illegal construction in the country's
200 people killed in a single day in Muslim country Yemen, civil war intensifies again
200 fighters have died in Yemen, which has been facing civil war for nearly 7 year
The government has already indicated to open schools which have been closed for months. The schoo
Is China's 'hypersonic test' the beginning of a new arms race?
China has recently tested a hypersonic missile equipped with nuclear power. Many are considering
Bilateral issues on agenda during Jaishankar's SAARC visits: India
New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Pakistan would be among the countries which Foreign Secretary S. Jaish
Syria shaken by Israel's missile attack, rapid attacks targeting the international airport
The Israeli army fired missiles at the Syrian capital's international airport on Monday morning a
Ban Sale of Loose Cigarettes, PM urged
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 15 (IANS) Voice of Tobacco Victims (VoTV), an organisation here consist
8th Year Modi Government Preparation for Celebration: The Narendra Modi government at the Center
