Addressing a press conference, BJP State Spokesperson Siddesh Naik said the allegation reflected the frustration of the Opposition over the development carried out under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“Seeing the benefits of development and the public support for the BJP, the Opposition is making baseless statements just to remain relevant politically,” Naik said.
He questioned Chodankar’s record as Congress state president from 2018 to 2022, claiming that the party weakened under his leadership.
“When someone becomes a party president, the organisation should become stronger. But during his tenure, office bearers resigned without being consulted, and many leaders were sidelined. He should answer how many defections happened between 2018 and 2022,” Naik said.
Naik alleged that Congress was reduced from a national party to a regional-level force in Goa under Chodankar’s leadership.
“He resigned in 2022 saying he took moral responsibility, but under his leadership the Congress government fell. That itself shows the outcome of his leadership,” he said.
Rejecting the Rs 100 crore claim, Naik said the BJP does not need such tactics due to its organisational strength.
“The BJP is a party of 14 crore workers nationally and around 4 lakh dedicated workers in Goa. Such allegations insult the hard work of our workers,” he said.
Naik added that BJP’s electoral victories across the country were due to the party organisation and not because of money or defections.
“If the allegation of Rs 100 crore is accepted, the logic itself does not work for just eight constituencies. We have workers in every constituency,” he said.
He reiterated that the BJP was confident of returning to power in 2027.
“Our state president Damodar Naik and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant have already made it clear that the BJP will win 30-plus seats with a majority,” Naik said.
BJP spokesperson Jayant Jadhav, who also addressed the press conference, said Chodankar’s allegations were “laughable”.
“A leader under whose presidency office bearers resigned overnight is making allegations about party management. Congress has created its own downfall,” Jadhav said.
Jadhav also criticised the Congress leadership at the national level and claimed the party was making allegations due to fear of BJP’s growth in Goa.
Highlighting the BJP government’s work, Jadhav said the party had delivered major infrastructure and welfare projects in the state.
“Projects like the Manohar Parrikar Bypass in Canacona, Zuari Bridge, Atal Setu and the Porvorim Elevated Corridor have improved connectivity. Schemes like Dayanand Social Security Scheme, Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana and Griha Aadhar continue to benefit people,” he said.
Jadhav said the BJP followed the principles of Antyodaya and claimed that the government’s focus remained on development, education and welfare.
During the question-answer session, BJP leaders were asked about Congress MLAs who joined the BJP and whether financial benefits were involved.
Responding, the BJP said the defections happened due to faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s development agenda.
“They joined because they were inspired by the development taking place in Goa. BJP is a party focused on building and progress, not buying people with money,” Naik said.
