PANAJI: GPCC president Girish Chodankar on Monday stepped up his attack on the Goa government, demanding that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant explain the government’s stand on the ongoing Karapur agitation, notices allegedly issued by the House of Abhinandan Lodha to the Congress and questions surrounding a private jet he claimed was linked to people close to the Chief Minister.
Addressing the media, Chodankar said residents of Karapur had been protesting for 144 days but had yet to receive a response from either the Chief Minister or Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane.
“The people of Karapur are demanding their rights and justice. They have been coming to Panaji and protesting for 144 days, but neither the Chief Minister nor the TCP Minister is giving them an answer. This is not a good sign in a democracy,” Chodankar said.
He said Congress workers had joined the protest at Azad Maidan and had also held a demonstration in Canacona following a resolution taken at a party meeting.
Chodankar also alleged that the House of Abhinandan Lodha had issued notices to opposition leaders after questions were raised over the project and related matters.
“When we ask questions, we receive notices. They are trying to shut us up, but we will not allow the people’s voice to be suppressed,” he said.
According to Chodankar, questions had also been raised about alleged links involving individuals he identified as Jayesh and Paresh, as well as references to a person named Rohan in correspondence concerning the project.
He demanded that the Chief Minister clarify the alleged links and questioned whether political leaders were being targeted for raising concerns over the project.
Chodankar then turned his focus to a private jet, claiming that a jet worth around Rs 130 crore was parked either at Mopa or Belagavi airport.
“I want to ask the Chief Minister directly: who owns this private jet? Does the Chief Minister travel in this private jet? If he does, who is providing or funding it?” he asked.
Chodankar said Goa’s previous chief ministers had not been known to travel in private jets and questioned whether the alleged use of such a jet represented the kind of development being promised to the state.
“Buying or using a Rs 130-crore private jet is something even the top business families of Goa have not found possible. So the Chief Minister must answer who owns this jet and whether he travels in it,” he said.
He also used the issue to question what he described as the emergence of “overnight crorepatis” allegedly close to the Chief Minister.
“Is there some formula through which people become overnight crorepatis and then travel in private jets? Is this formula available only to a select few who are close to the Chief Minister?” Chodankar asked.
He said even BJP Yuva Morcha workers should be given access to such opportunities, alleging that many party workers continued to struggle while receiving only lower-level government employment.
“Many BJP Yuva Morcha workers work hard for the party, but their parents are still struggling. At least give them this formula so they can also become crorepatis,” he said.
Chodankar also raised concerns over the recruitment of Police Sub-Inspectors, claiming that 187 posts had been advertised but only 126 candidates had joined.
He said he had written to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police seeking intervention, alleging that eligible candidates had not been allowed to complete their joining formalities.
“There were attempts to keep around 60 posts pending, which creates suspicion that other people could be accommodated later,” he alleged.
Chodankar said some action had been taken following his letter but claimed he had subsequently received an anonymous letter from the mother of a selected candidate.
“She said she cannot reveal her name because she fears for the safety of her family. She has written to us because she has hope that we will raise the issue,” Chodankar said.
According to him, the woman expressed concern that continued uncertainty over appointments could push candidates into severe distress.
Chodankar said the episode reflected the anxiety among families of candidates who had qualified on merit but were still waiting for appointment orders.
“Imagine the situation when parents of candidates who have qualified with good marks have to write anonymously to the Opposition because they are afraid of the system. This shows how serious the situation has become,” he said.
He again demanded transparency in the recruitment process and urged the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and DGP to address the concerns of the candidates and their families.
“Recruitment must be completely transparent. The government must answer why candidates who qualified are still waiting for appointment,” Chodankar said.
Chodankar maintained that the Congress would continue raising the issues despite legal notices or warnings.
“As an Opposition party, it is our job to ask questions. We will not let notices or threats silence us. The government must answer the people,” he said.
