Panaji, March 15 (IANS): The Congress in Goa on Sunday accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of using the coronavirus pandemic to create panic and seek electoral benefit from the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji, state Congress president Girish Chodankar also questioned the delay on part of the state government, to issue a formal advisory to put the people of Goa and visiting tourists, at ease about the steps being taken by the state government to rein in the possible spread of the disease.

Chodankar said Sawant had made a public announcement on Sunday, urging all political parties not to conduct large campaign meetings ahead of the March 22 Zilla Panchayat elections and yet continued to defy his own plea hours later.

"The CM said on Saturday that afternoon that all political parties should not canvass in large groups and later on the same day, he addressed several public meetings. Is he putting the thousands of people attending these election meetings at risk of being exposed to coronavirus?" Chodankar said.

"Also, at the same time, how can a Chief Minister direct District Magistrates (DMs) to not permit public gatherings, when he is conducting such meetings himself. Also the code of conduct is on and the administration should report to the State Election Commission, so how is the CM giving DMs these orders? The Commission should probe this suo moto," Chodankar said.

On Saturday, while Sawant had ordered a partial shutdown of public places, including schools, colleges, pubs and casinos in Goa. Sawant had also said, that District Magistrates had been instructed to not allow public gatherings in view of the coronavirus pandemic, while also urging all political parties to not assemble a large number of people while canvassing for the local body poll.

The state Congress president also questioned the delay in the issue of a formal advisory by the state government, a precautionary measure which Sawant had assured would be released by Saturday evening.

"The Chief Minister has created a panic-like situation since Saturday. An advisory on precautions to be taken by people and by the governments during the coronavirus outbreak, which would put the state at ease has not been issued and an announcement was made 24 hours ago," Chodankar also said.