Cong candidate feigns ignorance on party`s promise on drugs

Panaji: In an embarrassment to the Congress party, its North Goa candidate Ravi Naik on Tuesday said he has no knowledge about the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections that promises to eradicate drugs from the state.

"I don`t know. I have not seen the manifesto. I have not got a copy of the manifesto," Naik told reporters when he was asked about the party`s assurance to weed out drugs from Goa. Naik, former state Home minister, and his son Roy had been earlier indicted in the state Legislative Assembly`s report on drugs for their alleged nexus with narcotic peddlers operating along the state`s coastal belt. Naik said he was expecting questions on the issue. Congress is in the final leg of campaigning for both the parliamentary seats in Goa, to vote on April 12. In its manifesto, the party has said there are drug wars in the coastal belt and coordinated efforts between state and central agencies are required to check the menace. When asked about the drug wars, Naik refused to reply. However, he said, "There should be action against drugs. Not only in Goa, drugs are happening in the entire country, it should be stopped. We will take strict action against the drug peddlers," he said.