Two days after Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar threw a bombshell on the government making a pointed charge of a minister's involvement in a sex scandal, the BJP has been left red-faced forcing the core committee into a huddle discussing damage control. Anxiety appears to have gripped the party with divergent reactions emerging. A day after senior cabinet members were visibly upset over the development which prompted the CM to push the ball in the court of the Delhi High Command, State party president Sadanand Tanavade struck a different chord.
A day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that the party bosses in Delhi have been briefed about the case and action, if any, will follow from there, the BJP changed its strategy. Instead of going on the defensive, it has decided to counter Chodankar’s allegation daring him to name the minister who is involved in the sex scandal and also asking for an FIR to be lodged. The twin conditions put down by the BJP have to some extent taken the fizz out of Congress attack with no police complaint registered by the lady in question.
Congress has certainly caused embarrassment to the BJP, but there are chances the sex scandal story can end in an anticlimax. The first point of contention is Chodankar's admission that his party does not have viral videos or photos. Secondly, there are very remote chances that such viral material on social media is admissible in a court of law. Thirdly, the lady on whom this charge is based is elusive without a formal complaint being lodged. Fourthly, under the current circumstances, the accused minister has a right to file for defamation.
Despite the demand of Chodankar to immediately drop the minister or face embarrassment during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Goa on December 19, the BJP leadership which is believed to be aware of the ‘inside story’ has pushed the ball back in the Congress court.
Girish has succeeded in rattling the BJP ranks and has created a further impact by tagging Sawant. The question is how far can he take this issue. Unfortunately, this comes at a time when the Congress-Goa Forward alliance arrangement has left the GPCC president isolated. Ironically, none of the Congress leaders seems interested in pursuing the case.
Ministers and legislators are frequently making headlines on issues of sexual harassment and misconduct towards women. Over the years some of Goa's legislators have faced the ignominy of involving lasciviousness, sleaze, sexual favours and even rape. Unfortunately, despite the shaming and uncovering, representatives of people continue to wield their power and stoop to the lowest levels of debauchery and decadence.
On the flip side, there are cases of treachery, political vendetta, honey trap and blackmailing behind some of these viral videos and allegations. Chodankar will have to pull together his resources and bring out something concrete. He has to add credibility to his charge which is vague for now. The BJP may have momentarily defused the situation, but it is time the party does a reality check and reigns in discipline.
