PANAJI
The Crime Branch on Wednesday summoned former BJP MLA Kiran Kandolkar for questioning in connection with a matka racket. Accordingly, the former Tivim MLA appeared before the police and was grilled for almost an hour.
The summons issued to Kandolkar was a part of the Crime Branch investigation following a raid at a flat at Corlim in Mapusa on September 29 wherein three matka bookies were arrested.
According to sources, one of the arrested Matka bookies made a statement before the police that he works for Kandolkar. It was to verify this statement, Kandolkar was brought in for questioning, the police source said.
In his statement to the police, Kandolkar vehemently denied his involvement in the matka gambling racket and maintained innocence in the matter.
Speaking to a few media persons, Kandolkar alleged that the BJP is targeting him politically through the Crime Branch. “I have tried to give satisfactory answers to their questions,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, Kandolkar convened a meeting of his workers at his residence to discuss the future course of actions. At this meeting, he reportedly hinted at his intentions to quit the BJP and join Goa Forward Party.
The developments may be read in tandem with GFP chief Vijay Sardesai’s laudatory tweet which reads, “I appreciate #KiranKandolkar view of @GoaForwardParty. We’re a party of fighters proud to defend #Goem, #Goemkar #Goemkarponn. Kiran had the courage & the self-respect to take on the totalitarian @BJP4Goa govt, even at great personal cost. Now, we’ll fight together to save Goa!”
