PANAJI
BJP State President Damu Naik on Saturday hit back at former Cabinet minister and MLA Govind Gaude, dismissing his recent criticism as unfounded. Naik asserted that party directives on discipline had long been communicated to him, which was not followed.
“His claim of ‘ukhalli jib layli talyak’ is false. I had already spoken to him before making my statement. In fact, we met at the party office in Margao and the party had given him clear instructions on discipline," he said reacting to Gaude’s remarks.
Naik further revealed that Gaude had been warned by central BJP leadership in the past as well. “When he made remarks about Dhavalikar, I received a call from the Centre. He was asked to maintain discipline even during Sadanand Tanavade's tenure as State President,” he said.
Gaude had earlier questioned Naik’s call for action against him before any formal inquiry, insisting that internal party rules must apply uniformly. “One must first enforce discipline within the party before pointing fingers,” Gaude said, suggesting that the BJP’s top brass was selective in its application of standards.
The former minister also downplayed any individual claims over the recent Birsa Munda Rally, stating that its success was due to collective efforts. “There is no need for any one person to claim credit. All MLAs and ministers contributed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed BJP Goa office bearers led by Naik called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at his official residence in Altinho on Saturday. Union Minister of State Shripad Naik and Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade were also part of the delegation.
