BJP tribal leaders at loggerheads

Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar making a point at a media briefing called to launch a no-holds-barred attack on MLA Govind Gaude.

MARGAO
The ongoing war of words between BJP tribal leaders — Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar and his predecessor, MLA Govind Gaude — escalated over the weekend, with Tawadkar launching a scathing attack on Gaude and even urging the party leadership to take disciplinary action against him.

Tawadkar pulled no punches in his remarks, reigniting the controversy surrounding the “Shah Jahan” episode. In a sarcastic jibe, he said he would recommend that the government confer the Gomant Bhushan award on Gaude for his “artistic” contributions and his dramatic changes in behaviour.

The Minister went further, asserting that he had only joined the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet at the insistence of the BJP leadership, in the party’s interest. He pointed out that Gaude, in contrast, had been dropped from the Cabinet due to his offensive language.

Responding to Gaude’s recent claims that he had supported Tawadkar since the formation of the Adarsh Yuvak Sangh and during the establishment of the Balaram Education Society, Tawadkar dismissed the statements outright. He clarified that his association with Gaude began only in 2008 and sarcastically questioned whether Gaude’s “evil spirit” had been at work in Canacona to support of his projects.

Addressing the media in response to Gaude’s recent statements directed at him, the Sports Minister reminded that Gaude had moved from Delhi to Gully to point fingers at him for the CM’s decision to drop him from the Cabinet. “Govind Gaude has been dropped from the Cabinet because of his Karma. But, he is targeting me for no reason, but the people of Goa know that I played no role in his removal. He has even targeted late Manohar Parrikar with mimicry,” he asserted.

Clarifying that he came in contact with Govind Gaude only in 2008 during the UTAA agitation, Tawadkar pooh poohed Gaude’s claims that he had helped or paved way for him to launch projects such as the Adarsh Yuva Sangh, Lokotsav, Balaram Education Society, saying all these projects were launched before the Priol MLA came in contact with him in 2008. “I wonder whether Gaude’s evil spirit was at work in Canacona to help me launch these projects,” he said.

“Gaude says Tawadkar cannot take decisions, but the people of Canacona have elected me four times. I don’t want to boast how big he is as Gaude has claimed that he got Sudin Dhavalikar and Subhash Shirodkar elected as MLAs and made Pramod Sawant the CM. Tomorrow, he may even say he can get all the 40 MLAs re-elected,” he said.

Referring to the Kala Academy row, he added: “Shah Jahan had built Taj Mahal for his wife before Independence when there was no democracy. Gaude has built the Taj Mahal in a democracy, thus showing how great a person he is. He is an actor and I will request the government to bestow on Gaude the Gomant Bhushan award.”

Likening Gaude to a Cazulo, Tawadkar said “a cazulo glows at night and thinks its lighting up the whole world.” 

He added: This is my last media briefing as far as Govind Gaude is concerned. He is trying to instigate and provoke me with baseless allegations. I will not reply to him anymore. This is my last briefing.”

Joined Cabinet only at party’s insistence: Tawadkar

MARGAO: Admitting that he has made repeated statements that he was not keen to join the Pramod Sawant Cabinet, Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Saturday attributed his statements to the paucity of time to do work in view of the upcoming elections in Goa.

Tawadkar further said that he is ready to sacrifice his portfolio if the party plans to induct another MLA into the Cabinet.

He made the statement in response to a query over his repeated statements that he was not interested in becoming a Minister and finally joined due to the insistence by the party leadership. “The Zilla Panchayat elections are scheduled before the year end and the civic polls will come in early 2026. There will not be much time to do the work. Four months will be lost ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. Taking all these factors into consideration, I had told the party that I am not keen to join the Cabinet,” Tawadkar added.

Minister defends govt, seeks SC/ST Act invocation in tribal leader’s assault

MARGAO: Sports Minister and tribal leader, Ramesh Tawadkar has on Saturday said the police should also invoke provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against the accused involved in the brutal attack on tribal leader Rama Kankonkar.

He, however, defended the government’s action in the case, saying he does not think that the Home Department has failed to curb growing lawlessness.

“The police should also investigate the case under the provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Goa is a peaceful State and I am confident that the police have turned proactive as evident by the prompt arrests made in the case.

Asked to shed light on the mastermind behind the attack, Tawadkar said the police are currently investigating the case, exuding confidence that all facts relating to the case will soon come out.