VASCO
Mormugao BJP Mandal led by President Sanjay Satardekar and BJP councillors issued a three-day ultimatum to GPCC Vice President Sankalp Amonkar to issue an apology on the allegations of iron ore theft from Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) and dragging Urban Development Minister Milind Naik in the issue, failing which legal action would be initiated.
Satardekar speaking to the media said that allegations levelled by Amonkar were baseless.
"The iron ore cargo was sold legally by the department of mining and geology (DMG) through an e-auction to a party which called a ship in the port and the cargo in the custody of the MPT was loaded in the ship via barges. The cargo is legal and DMG has given permissions. Amonkar has baselessly alleged that Urban Development Minister Milind Naik has stolen around 2,000 tons of cargo illegally from the port. No cargo can be stolen with MPT having around 1,800 employees led by an IAS Chairman and agencies like CISF and customs, manning the port round the clock," said Satardekar.
Satardekar said that a lot of Karyakartas had been hurt with the baseless allegations made by Amonkar and while all this while the Mandal did not react, it has now been decided that strict legal action be taken against Amonkar.
Satardekar said that if Amonkar did not tender an apology in three days, legal action would be initiated against him.
Speaking on the occasion, Municipal Councillor Leo Rodrigues challenged Amonkar to win the upcoming council elections against him before contesting the next assembly elections against Milind Naik.
"Many from Congress have joined BJP in Mormugao because they were unhappy with the leadership of Amonkar. He has lost two consecutive assembly elections and before he plans to contest the next assembly elections, he must try and at least win the council elections against me in Ward 9 which has been a Congress dominated ward. It is an open challenge to him," said Rodrigues.
Municipal councillor Murari Bandekar said that the Congress must take control of the various baseless allegations levelled by Amonkar failing which people may lose trust in the Party.
