Election authorities initiate probe into Pacheco''s citizenship

Panaji, Jan 29 (PTI) Electoral office at Benaulim herehas been asked to probe the allegation of dual citizenshipagainst former Goa minister Fransisco Micky Pacheco, officialsources said today.

Last month, Election Commission of India (ECI) had askedthe Chief Electoral Officer of Goa to probe the allegationagainst Pacheco, a former state tourism minister.

Pacheco, an NCP MLA who has been a minister thrice, hasbeen accused of holding citizenships of India and USA.

Sources said the Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Goa,Arvind Bugde, wrote to the electoral registration officer,asking to conduct inquiry into the issue on January 24. Theletter was received yesterday, sources added.

Pacheco claimed that he had only Indian citizenship. "Ihave been sworn thrice in the cabinet. If I had dualcitizenship, I would not have got the chance even to contestthe election," he said reacting to the allegation.

The former minister had to resign after getting embroiledin the controversy over the death of his lady friend, NadiaTorrado.

"I am ready to face any inquiry. In the past too, I havecome out clean after being probed for false allegations," hetold PTI.