the goan I network
PANAJI
Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, whom the BJP in Goa prodded to do the fire-fighting over the alleged Vishwajit Rane audio on Parrikar and Rafale, admitted on Wednesday that the controversy could potentially damage the party.
Cabral however backed Rane’s claim that the audio is a fabrication and seconded his demand that an appropriate criminal investigation be launched to find the truth. He even insinuated that it could be the handiwork of the Opposition Congress and recalled that GPCC president, Girish Chodankar had made allegations that Parrikar was using secrets of the Rafale deal to pre-empt the BJP High Command from replacing him as Chief Minister.
Flashing a copy of Rane’s letter to the Chief Minister demanding a probe into the “doctored audio”, Cabral also named Congress spokesperson Siddhanath Buyao, saying he was an ‘artiste’ and had a recording studio which makes him capable of doctoring the audio.
At a press conference he held along with Urban Development Minister Milind Naik at the party headquarters in Panaji, Cabral reiterated Rane’s demand for a probe into the audio.
“The CM should get to the bottom of the matter. The Health Minister has already written to the Chief Minister to investigate. The BJP is also telling the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister to order an investigation,” Cabral said.
Cabral blamed the Congress for raking up a controversy to defame the ruling party and denied that any discussion pertaining to Rafale had transpired during the three-hour-long cabinet meeting held at Parrikar’s private residence on December 21.
In the audio, which is now being claimed is ‘doctored’ Rane is heard claiming that Parrikar said he had files related to Rafale stored in his bedroom.
Raid, lie detector test on Rane, Parrikar must: Congress
PANAJI: The Congress in Goa said the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh should order a raid at the private residence of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar where documents on the Rafale deal are allegedly stored and also give him protection.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters here on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Siddhanath Buyao said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) needs to take cognizance of the audio released by the party in Delhi and investigate it in national interest.
“We need answers as to which files are in Parrikar’s house, what are their contents, and since when they are with Parrikar,” said Buyao, adding that Parrikar should be given full protection and he should not meet the same fate as Judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya or Hiren Pandiya.
Buyao said officials close to Parrikar like Rupesh Kamat, Krishnamurthy and Upendra Joshi too need be questioned while also making a case for subjecting both Rane and Parrikar to a lie-detector test.
