Cong wants Panaji by-poll re-scheduled,Delhi poll results might influence Panaji by-polls: Congress
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- Category: Goa Political News
- Last Updated: Wednesday, 08 February 2017 12:52
Cong wants Panaji by-poll re-scheduled,Delhi poll results might influence Panaji by-polls: Congress
Panaji: The Congress party in Goa has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking to reschedule the proposed Panaji by-election and schedule it along with Delhi elections.
"The Delhi election results are likely to influence Panaji by-polls. We want both elections to be held on the same day," Congress General Secretary Altinho Gomes said in a letter addressed to the Election Commission of India today.
Panaji by-polls are scheduled on February 13, while Delhi polls would be held on February 7.
"It is surprising that the election dates of Delhi and Panaji do not take into account the aspect of voting results at one place influencing the other," the letter read.
“Any possibility of elections in Delhi influencing Panjim by-election therefore should be avoided,” Gomes said.
Earlier, addressing media persons, Congress spokesman Agnelo Fernandes said that the Panjim by-election dates are clashing with the annual Carnival, to be held on February 14 and hence the by election should be postponed. “Since the election code of conduct will be in place, the Carnival cannot be held in the city. The EC should have consulted State government before announcing the dates,” he said.
In the past, Congress party had managed to get the State Lok Sabha elections 2014 advanced to April 12 from April 17, which was Maundy Thursday, which is part of the Easter Triduum observed by Catholics.
The Panjim by-election was necessitated due to the resignation of former Panjim MLA Manohar Parrikar.
, who became the country’s Defence Minister, in November.
Congress has fielded city Mayor Surendra Furtado against BJP’s Siddharth Kunkolienkar in a straight contest for the seat.