Ex-BJP minister says Goa govt runs on bribe, CM Sawant says not me

Panaji: In a damning allegation against the Pramod Sawant-led govt in Goa, former BJP minister and ex-MLA Pandurang Madkaikar has said there is widespread corruption in govt and one needs to pay lakhs of rupees to get “files cleared”. But CM Pramod Sawant, without denying those allegations, tried to clear his name and said: “He hasn’t made an allegation against me. Ask him.”

Madkaikar, who was the power minister in the Manohar Parrikar govt in 2017 before he was dropped due to ill-health, said that he had paid a bribe of nearly Rs 20 lakh to the PA of a minister to get his file passed.

“Last week I paid Rs 15-20 lakh to one minister for a small work,” he said on Tuesday after a meeting with BJP national secretary B L Santosh, who was on a two-day visit to the state.

Madkaikar alleged the BJP govt was steeped in corruption. “Loot is going in Goa. Nothing is moving. Ministers are busy counting money,” Madkaikar said.

Even as the opposition demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations made by Madkaikar, BJP ministers Atanasio Monserrate, Mauvin Godinho and Rohan Khaunte said he should name the minister who took bribe to clear the file.

“He is a former minister and he should behave responsibly. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones," Godinho, who holds the industries portfolio, said.

He said Madkaikar should file a complaint if he was asked to pay for approvals.

“He should name the minister who asked him for money,” said Monserrate, the revenue minister, who described Madkaikar as a dear friend and colleague.


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