Panaji: With few hours left for the polling of Goa Legislative Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress Party and Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday lodged complaints against each other in connection with alleged sting operation broadcasted on a television channel.
The channel had broadcasted videos claiming that TMC candidate Churchill Alemao (Benaulim) and three other Congress candidates Sankalp Amonkar (Mormugao), Avertano Furtado (Navelim) and Savio D’Silva (Velim) had accepted the bribe in advance to change their party affiliations if they are voted to power.
AAP on Sunday afternoon filed a formal complaint with Chief Electoral Officer pointing out to the videos that were being circulated on various social media groups.
AAP leader Valmiki Naik, who is also party’s candidate from Panaji assembly segment, said that the complaint was filed because the videos were being circulated claiming that the bribe was accepted by these candidates.
He said that he thought it wise to bring to the attention of the election officials about such a video.
Few minutes later TMC’s Benaulim candidate Churchill Alemao lodged a complaint with the CEO demanding removal of the video from all platforms, and filing of FIR against AAP and the channel, that broadcasted the video.
Alemao also demanded that strict action should be taken against AAP for violating silent period. He also said that AAP and the channel should offer public apology for “circulating fake news.”
Naik said that he has not violated silent period (which is 48 hours before the polling begins) as he was not indulged in any kind of campaigning.
After Alemao’s complaint, TMC Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sushmita Dev also filed another complaint against Valmiki Naik and AAP’s senior leader Atishi.
Dev demanded that AAP should delete tweet from its official handle quoting the video and also should remove the posts from AAP’s official Facebook page. The MP also demanded that CEO should direct
Election Commission of India is the father of the house (India). Political Parties are the Children of that house (India). ECI, as the head of the house (India) should bring discipline among their children (Political Parties). ECI should tell them (Political Parties) that I am the head of the house and you are the children of the house. Maintain discipline in the house or you will be punished.