AGNELO PEREIRA
MAPUSA
Saffron is the new shade in Goa.
In spite of the election model code of conduct being in force, the compound and exterior walls of a government primary school in the coastal village of Anjuna is getting a splash of saffron.
Incidentally, the government school doubles up as a polling station during the elections in the area.
For the uninitiated, saffron colour is synonymous with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is heading the coalition government in the State and the NDA alliance at the Centre.
The ‘Chivar Band Government Primary School’ at Chivar in Anjuna was taken up for renovation by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
Sources in the Education Department disclosed that the department only makes a list of government schools that need to be refurbished and recommends them to the GSIDC.
GSIDC Managing Director Srinet Kotwale informed that GSIDC executes the work but plans designs were approved by the Education Department.
“We basically execute the work. But the plans, design, colour code etc are all decided by the government,” Kotwale said.
The ongoing renovation work of the school is expected to be completed before the ensuing parliamentary election date.
The contractor has been directed to complete the work in the first week of April.
Locals in the area pointed out that the colour, which is
associated with the BJP, will surely influence voters and the saffron party would stand to gain in the election.
However, the Assistant Returning Officer Gaurish Sankwalkar said the painting of the school was not in conflict with the model code of conduct.
“The work is undertaken by GSIDC and they have a particular model which has been adopted in all the schools. They had identified the colour much before the model code of conduct came into force,” Sankwalkar said.
But the saffron hue invited criticism of the Opposition parties in the State.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for North Goa parliamentary seat, Pradeep Padgaonkar said in the past the BJP attempted to percolate the educational syllabus by introducing its Hindutva ideology.
“It comes as no surprise that in its attempt to paint the country saffron, the BJP has literally painted a school in Goa saffron,” Padgaonkar said.
He said people of Goa will foil the destructive designs of BJP to blatantly divide the State on religious lines.
“With this school to be used as a polling booth, will the EC remain a mute spectator to this blatant violation of the MCC?” he questioned.
GPCC convenor of the communications department Trajano D’Mello said if the school was indeed painted saffron then it’s in violation of the model code of conduct.
“This is absolutely violation of the model code of conduct. The role of the election officer is to take suo moto action against this type of violations,” D’Mello said.
