PANAJI: Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) national president and St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar has announced personal defamation suits against former party treasurer Ajay Kholkar and others over allegations that Rs 3 crore was received from GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar.
Borkar dismissed the allegations as false, accusing Kholkar of attempting to damage his reputation and create confusion within the party to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “They went to the media alleging that bags containing Rs 3 crore were received from Chodankar, directly targeting me. But claiming that I accepted Rs 3 crore is outright false,” Borkar said, challenging his accusers to produce transaction records or evidence that the money had entered his account.
Citing transparency, Borkar said the balance in the party's official bank account stood at Rs 23,669. He maintained that the RGP had operated only one official bank account since its inception and denied allegations of fund siphoning. “I challenge them to prove from whom and how Rs 3 crore was taken, whether from the BJP or Girish Chodankar, and produce any transaction proof or show money in my account,” he said.
Borkar said internal audits and reports prepared by chartered accountants would be presented before the party's General Body. However, he maintained that allegations targeting his personal integrity warranted separate legal action. Borkar accused Kholkar of targeting the RGP leadership because the party had decided to contest elections independently rather than form alliances. He alleged that the accusations were intended to create doubts among voters and serve the BJP's interests.
He also claimed that Kholkar was no longer an RGP member and accused him of spreading defamatory allegations on social media. Referring to opposition against land zoning changes in the Assagao hills, Borkar alleged that such claims were being used to divert attention from public issues. “The voters of St Andre elected me with trust, and we maintain complete accountability to them,” he said, adding that the party would pursue legal action against those making unsubstantiated corruption allegations.
Addressing the dispute over the party's leadership and organisational structure, Borkar said the RGP had submitted a fresh representation and supporting documents to the Election Commission to clarify its official position. He said the party had updated its official email addresses, office address and details of designated office-bearers following decisions by the national president and state committees to restructure and dissolve party units.
Borkar alleged that unauthorised individuals had attended meetings in South Goa and circulated internal communications to falsely suggest they controlled the party. He said the party had submitted documents to establish the authority of its designated representatives. The RGP's registered headquarters has been updated to the fourth floor of Thomb Tower in Goa, he said, describing the changes as routine administrative updates and denying any procedural lapses.
Borkar also reaffirmed that the Football symbol remained the party's official election symbol and said the RGP would contest the 2027 Goa Assembly elections under it. He said the party was registered in November 2021 and the Election Commission allotted the symbol on January 1, 2022. He maintained that the party's official records and financial documents would establish its position amid the ongoing dispute over its leadership, finances and organisational changes.
