Goa poll: EC yet to okay annual Carnival event

PANAJI: The fate of the annual Goa Carnival is hanging in balance as the Election Commission is yet to give its nod to the flamboyant public display owing to the model code of conduct being in place for the March 3 Assembly polls.

EC is yet to grant the permission for the quintessential public float parades, tableaus and other celebrations for the gala event kicking off from February 18.

State Tourism Department has been organising float parades in various cities, which has now come under scanner due to code of conduct.

A senior Tourism official said the department of tourism has sent a letter to EC seeking its permission for the parades last week but is yet to hear from the EC.

"We need permission because it is a government funded event and also its a public event," he said.

Carnival processions, which were earlier restricted to rural Goa, have now become a major tourist attraction after department of tourism began holding the parades in the cities.

King Momo, a mythological character who rules the state during the Carnival festivities, leads the parade.