In the wake of the controversy surrounding sports minister Vijay Goel during his visit to the Rio Olympics, Congress members on Friday asked the Prime Minister to “recall” him from Brazil as the prest
In the wake of the controversy surrounding sports minister Vijay Goel during his visit to the Rio Olympics, Congress members on Friday asked the Prime Minister to “recall” him from Brazil as the prestige of the nation was involved.
During the Zero Hour, Pratap Singh Bajwa of Congress said that since last evening, all national TV channels were showing the “conduct” of a minister, apparently referring to Mr Goel. Mr Goel and his entourage, who have gone to Brazil in connection with the ongoing Olympics have been accused of misbehaviour by the organisers. The allegations, however, have been rubbised by the minister. Mr Bajwa wanted to raise the issue as a “point of order”, but deputy chairperson P.J. Kurien said “that is an allegation and not a point of order”.
Mr Bajwa, who was being supported by other Congress members, said the issue involves “the prestige of nation”. He alleged that the organisers have termed it as “a shameful conduct of the sports minister”.
“We request the Prime Minister to recall him. It is the prestige of the nation which is involved,” he said.
On Thursday Sarah Peterson, who is continental manager for the Rio 2016 Organising Committee, in a letter to Indian chef-de-mission Rakesh Gupta, threatened to cancel Mr Goel’s accreditation on the grounds of misbehaviour and trying to enter venues with his entourage without valid passes.