Nobody can beat Goa's ruling politicians and their innovative ways to lure and bribe voters and frustrate the election commission from holding free and fair elections. Much to the dismay of the ruling Congress-led coalition, the model code of conduct (MCC) is in place in Goa well ahead of the notification date of February 6 for the Assembly elections scheduled for March 3.
After tackling government departments which were doling out jobs with backdated appointment letters and other irregularities, the EC officials are grappling with an alleged violation of the code by senior Congress MLA and president of Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Dayanand Narvekar. The EC sent a notice to a deputy collector asking him to inquire and report on the distribution of kits and money to 130 registered cricket clubs by Narvekar.
The complaint was filed by former GCA executive committee member Shekhar Salkar who alleged that the GCA had distributed kits, and though Mr. Narvekar himself was not present at the function it was still an electoral code violation.
Annoyed by the slow pace of the inquiry, the complainant wrote to the Election Commission on Tuesday demanding the MLA be disqualified from contesting; and in case the EC was not going to disqualify the candidate, then he would like to get permission from the EC to do the same through his Club.
In his letter submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday, he has asked for permission in next 48 hours as he needed time to arrange money and kits to be distributed to members of his club in which he was president. He has stated that he was likely to contest for Goa Assembly election from Bicholim constituency of north Goa.
