Khalap's press con for Congress propaganda, returns to bite him ... and Faleiro

It boomeranged pretty badly. Ramakant Khalap addressed a press conference on January 23 at  Congress House outlining the proposed manifesto of the Congress Party for the ensuing Goa Assembly elections. A complaint has been today filed before the Chief Electoral Officer against
Ramakant Khalap alleging misuse of his position as Chairman of Goa Law Commission for party politics and propaganda in rank contravention of the model code of conduct.

In his complaint Adv. Aires Rodrigues has accused Ramakant Khalap of grossly misusing the Government machinery as Chairman of the Goa Law Commission to further his political aspirations and that of his party.

The Goa Government by an order dated 20th January 2009 constituted the Goa Law Commission with Ramakant Khalap as the Chairman and accorded him with cabinet rank and status. His salary and expenditure incurred on his other perks and allowances are all borne by the State Government.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has in his complaint has that even after taking over as Chairman of the Goa Law Commission Mr. Ramakant Khalap continued to actively associate with the Congress party by attending its meetings and even addressing various press conferences in his capacity as office bearer of the Congress party.

Adv. Rodrigues has further drawn the Chief Electoral officer’s attention that Ramakant Khalap even yesterday addressed a press conference at the Congress House outlining the proposed manifesto of the Congress Party for the ensuing Goa Assembly elections.

Stating that Law commissions in the country are all headed by a retired High Court or Supreme Court judge, Adv. Rodrigues has submitted that the Goa Government for reasons best known to it chose an active party politician probably to rehabilitate and accommodate Mr. Khalap who had lost
the Assembly election in 2007.

Further stating that Mr. Ramakant Khalap was an aspiring candidate for the Goa Assembly elections scheduled on March 3rd having sought the nomination of the Congress Party from Mandrem Constituency, Adv. Rodrigues has urged the Election Commission to rule whether it was appropriate and permissible for the Chairman of the Goa Law Commission to actively participate in party politics.

Adv. Rodrigues has further stated that it was inexplicable as to how a person holding such an esteemed office as Chairman of the Goa Law Commission while enjoying all the perks and privileges can also be embroiled in party politics.