Goa minister has exposed corruption, governor Pillai must dismiss govt: Opposition

Panaji: A day after art and culture minister Govind Gaude raised serious allegations of corruption in his govt, the opposition Monday demanded that governor P S Sreedharan Pillai must take note of the minister’s comments and dismiss Pramod Sawant-led state govt.“Gaude’s allegations against the CM exposes BJP govt’s corruption. The anti-corruption branch should probe these claims and take action against those guilty of bribery,” said opposition leader Yuri Alemao. “It is time for the BJP to prioritise transparency and root out corruption. Hope BJP doesn’t say it is ‘their internal matter’. Party with differences is exposed by ‘differences’?”While Congress and AAP demanded a probe into the allegations that are directly linked to a department led by the chief minister, GFP said that the allegations reveal the “utter frustration” within BJP-led govt.“The balloon has burst. Govt’s own ministers are exposing the corruption. This govt has no moral right to continue. The governor should dismiss this govt,” said Congress’ state president Amit Patkar. Patkar said he expects calls for an independent probe to be ignored as BJP would cover up the allegations to protect govt.GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said BJP has cultivated and encouraged corruption in every department.“Cabinet minister Govind Gaude’s statement that contractors need to pay bribes to get files cleared is not much of a revelation, but a sign of utter frustration with his own govt. Over the years, I’ve exposed innumerable scams, small and big, that have dragged Goa down the path of irreversible ruin,” Sardesai said.AAP MLA Cruz Silva said corruption has hit the tribal communities the hardest and that Gaude has exposed BJP’s neglect towards the community. Silva has demanded action and an independent probe into Gaude’s statement.“If Govind Gaude, a minister from the Goa ministry, is casting doubts and aspersions of corruption, then instead of calling Gaude’s statement irresponsible... Sawant must step down and conduct an inquiry on his own department and prove that the doubts and aspersions of corruption made by Gaude are false,” said NCP (SP) spokesperson and Goa desk in charge Clyde Crasto.“First the Taleigao MLA said govt takes money. After him, former BJP minister Pandurang Madkaikar said he was asked to pay Rs 15 lakh to get work done. Now, a minister for sports and art and culture in this current govt has said that files are not being passed and that one needs to meet an official at the Shram Shakti Bhavan.This is ridiculous,” said AAP’s Francis Coelho.He said Gaude is not above reproach as he has “eaten money and destroyed Kala Academy”.