Goan playback singer Hema Sardesai quits as Assembly poll icon

Popular pop singer from Goa, Hema Sardesai today resigned as the special icon for 2017 State Legislative Assembly election.
Social activist Aires Rodrigues in his complaint before Chief Electoral Officer yesterday has accused the 'Awara Bhawre' singer of campaigning for Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in the past (previous elections).
He has also cited a post by Sardesai on social networking site praising Parrikar.
State Chief Electoral Officer Kunal said they have received the resignation of Sardesai, which is under consideration.
"In her resignation, Sardesai has clarified that she is not a member of any political party and had met Parrikar to discuss Goan issues," he said.

The playback singer in a letter written to CEO has said that "she believes in the cause of justice and equality and had even fought with the current government after priest-turned-activist Fr Bismarque Dias was murdered and proper investigation was not done in the case by State police."
"My public fight with the government on this issue was widely covered in the media, which is in the public knowledge. In the very beginning, I had honestly told you (CEO) that I am related to many Goan politicians from various parties as Goa is a very small society and everyone is related to each other," the singer has said.

"I believe in the institution of Election Commission of India and I accepted to be an icon as I felt my involvement and espousal for the cause of ethical voting and maximum participation will ensure democratic empowerment of Goan masses," she said in the letter.