The Janata Dal (Secular) has blamed the Congress led state government for the poor security provided to party chief and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on his campaign trail in Goa.
JD(S) national general secretary Danish Ali said that Mr Gowda, who is entitled to “Z” plus security, was provided with just one constable outside his hotel room during the tour. “There was no pilot or escort to accompany him, which is the minimum requirement for a former prime minister, when he moved around in the state on Wednesday. If anything happens to Mr Gowda, we will hold the Congress government responsible,” Mr Ali said. It was the duty of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Delhi to inform the state about Mr Gowda’s itinerary, they said. According to the election code of conduct, the protocol may not be adhered to, but security of the campaigning leaders should not be withdrawn, Mr Ali said.
The JD(S) is contesting 12 seats in its maiden electoral bid in the state, and Mr Gowda has personally led his party campaign from the front. On Wednesday, he trudged through Vasco, giving a surprise to the migrant residents there. Migrant settlers, many of them from Karnataka, hold 25 per cent of the vote in the Mormugao taluk. Mr Gowda will camp in Goa from Friday till the June 2 poll.
The JD(S)’ chances are bright in the Vasco constituency where its candidate Carlos Almeida is posing a challenge to both the sitting BJP MLA Rajendra Arlekar and the NCP’s front runner Jose Phillip D’Souza.