Congress protests Goa Minister's 'lungi' remark against party leader

The opposition Congress in Goa on Wednesday protested against a state Minister for referring to an AICC official of south Indian origin for wearing a "lungi" in the morning and jeans in the evening.

Speaking during a discussion on a motion to congratulate newly-elected Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, Goa's Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai admonished Congress legislators present in the House, while also taking potshots at All India Congress Committee secretary in-charge of Goa A. Chellakumar. While Sardesai did not name the Congress official, he dropped broad hints.

"One ex-PCC president had said that Congress observers wear a lungi in the morning, and in the evening they wear jeans and go to a disco. This is the problem with your party. These observers issue big statements, that when Manohar Parrikar was in the US I was trying to overthrow the government. Those who come from outside do not understand what to say. They say anything," Sardesai told the assembly.

Chellakumar, a former legislator from Tamil Nadu, has been associated with AICC's Goa desk for the last three years and is known for his penchant for wearing the traditional lungi.

Chellakumar had also been quoted in the local media on Wednesday as saying that Sardesai had been in touch with the Congress when Parrikar was in the US on a personal visit with the objective of overthrowing the BJP-led coalition government.

Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar objected against Sardesai's comments.

"He has no right to criticise the Congress high command during a congratulatory motion," Kavlekar told the Speaker, who intervened and requested the Minister to take his seat.

--IANS

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