PANAJI
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Friday accused the BJP-led government of deliberately denying permission for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s public meeting in Goa, alleging discrimination against the senior Dalit leader.
GPCC president Girish Chodankar said Congress had sought permission for Kharge’s August 17 meeting at the SGPDA ground in South Goa, but the application remained pending without explanation. Permission for Azad Maidan in Panaji was also withheld, while requests to use the Taleigao Community Hall and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium were rejected, he said. “The only intention of the government was to ensure that Kharge’s event is not held in Goa,” Chodankar said, condemning the administration’s decision.
He linked the alleged denial to the controversy in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, where Congress had alleged that a stage used by Kharge was “purified” with Gangajal after his rally.
With public venues unavailable, Congress has booked a private venue in Verna for a closed-door meeting of block and booth workers. Loudspeaker permission has been granted. Kharge is scheduled to visit Goa for the first time since becoming Congress president. If his schedule permits, a Political Affairs Committee meeting will also be held on August 18.
