The Congress and BJP on Wednesday traded allegations over the protest staged by BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers during the arrival convoy of AICC president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge at Dabolim Airport.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) questioned the alleged breach of security arrangements, claiming that BJYM protesters crossed barricades, entered the roadway and used loudspeakers while Kharge, who was State guest, convoy was passing through the area.
GPCC spokesperson Amit Palekar said the alleged violation of security protocols was a serious matter and questioned why an FIR had not been registered despite a formal complaint seeking action against those responsible and threatened to approach the court if no action is taken being lodged.
“Security cannot be compromised for political theatre. The law must apply equally to everyone,” the Congress said, demanding a fair and independent investigation.
However, BJYM president Tushar Kelkar dismissed the Congress allegations as “baseless” and “fact-less”, maintaining that the protest was peaceful.
Kelkar accused Congress of unnecessarily dragging BJP workers into the controversy. He also suggested that Kharge may have reprimanded local Congress leaders during his Goa visit over the controversy surrounding the national song, Vande Mataram.
“For so many years people have been singing two stanzas of Vande Mataram, and no one protested against it. But now that Parliament has enacted a law, if you are going to sing it, then sing all six stanzas; otherwise do not sing,” Kelkar said.
