PANAJI
As Shruti Prabhugaonkar became the latest arrest in the jobs-for-cash scam on Monday, alleged links between her and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa Unit surfaced. The BJP, however, distanced itself from Prabhugaonkar asserting she was not currently associated with the party.
“The government has given police full powers and a free hand to investigate the jobs scam, and this has led to 18 arrests so far. Shruti Prabhugaonkar had worked with the party in the past but is no longer a member,” BJP General Secretary Narendra Sawaikar said at a press conference on Tuesday, reacting to opposition allegations about BJP links to those implicated in the scam.
Sawaikar added that the BJP demands a thorough investigation with each case reaching a logical conclusion. The senior party leader also claimed that BJP will cut ties with any members found involved in the scam.
“Our government, under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has prioritized transparency in government recruitment. The State Staff Selection Commission was established to ensure merit-based selection of candidates,” he explained.
He also urged the public to report any such matter to the police, even if it involves BJP members or supporters. “No one will be shielded. We will sever connections with any BJP workers implicated in such misconduct,” he added.
Prabhugaonkar, currently in police custody, is also being probed for accumulating wealth including setting up a travel agency and procuring private buses, through ill-gotten money.
