Goa panchayat polls to precede Assembly polls

Goa Election Commissioner P M Borkar8217;s action of declaring to hold Panchayat elections before the Assembly elections without consulting the Pratapsinh Rane Government has invited criticism from all quarters in the state.

Chief Secretary J P Singh said it was the 8220;prerogative8221; of the state government to be consulted on the dates before declaration of the election schedule. Borkar said, 8220;I have been specially told by the High Court to complete the formalities by May 7. With only 30 days in hand I could not have waited any longer.8221;

The state government was dilly-dallying on the issue as it was not mentally prepared to hold Panchayat election before Assembly polls. Leaders for the state, cutting across party lines feared a blacklash in the Assembly elections from disgruntled panchayat leaders who are denied tickets in the local elections.