PANAJI
Amid ongoing cabinet suspense, the crucial meeting scheduled for Monday between BJP party chief Damodar Naik and Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude is likely to fuel further speculations.
Gaude is under flak for his alleged corruption remark against his own Pramod Sawant-led government.
As a matter of principle justice, the party has decided to take “necessary” action against the Minister only after granting him a personal hearing.
Speaking to The Goan, Naik confirmed his meeting with Gaude on Monday without shedding more light on it.
"I will speak to him tomorrow. High command is aware about the matter...we will act accordingly," he said.
Rumours are making round that Gaude will be asked to resign and an MLA from tribal community would be sworn in. However there is no clarity whether it would be Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar or Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar.
It is also been learnt that another Minister would be dropped at the same time to make way for Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.
According to the sources, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai has been requested by the government not to have any travel plans outside Goa atleast for next one week.
During a Tribal event last week, Gaude alleged that there was rampant corruption in the Tribal Welfare Department which is handled by Chief Minister.
CM along with Naik had strongly criticized the statement while declaring to take stern action. However, the party softened its stand later.
Gaude has been in hot waters for quite some time. The alleged corruption in the renovation work of the iconic Kala Academy structure has also been taken note of by the party, apart from his public fall out against Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and allies -- MGP.
In an attempt to bring the situation under control, Gaude met the Chief Minister and later blamed the media for distorting his statement.
