Complain to poll panel on minister's degree: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday asked those claiming that Public Works Department minister Sudin Dhavalikar held a fake graduation degree to complain to the Election Commission of India.

The minister insisted his degree was "genuine".

The Aam Aadmi Party made the claim on the "fake" degree on Thursday and threatened to file a case against the minister for falsely filing a sworn affidavit that he held a Bachelor of Science degree.

"I have not received any complaint. Those who are complaining should go to the Election Commission of India with their grievance," Parsekar said.

The chief minister, who holds the education portfolio, said if a teacher was accussed of possessing a fake graduation degree, he would take action "within 24 hours".

"He is a cabinet minister. You do not need educational qualification to become one," Parsekar said.

Dhavalikar claimed his graduation certificate was genuine.

"The allegations are baseless. I have my degree with me. It is genuine," Dhavalikar said.

The AAP in Goa on Thursday claimed that Dhavalikar did not complete his graduation in 1979-80 as said in his sworn affidavit before the state Election Commission.

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which has three legislators including Dhavalikar, is a coalition partner of the BJP in the state government along with Goa Vikas Party.