PANAJI
Minister and tribal leader Govind Gaude’s well-calculated move to put out the fire that has been blazing for last few days following his “corruption” remark against the Tribal Welfare Department under the Chief Minister, seems to have worked in his favour for the time being with ruling BJP appearing to have softened its stand, after initial threat of stern action.
While some media remained abuzz over possible reshuffle in the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet, with the party likely to replace Gaude with Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar, BJP ruled out any such possibility stating “nothing is decided on it so far”.
Gaude, after fielding his star rescuer during the crisis -- UTTA leader Prakash Velip -- for the job, which he executed meticulously by pointing out the possible consequences, met the Chief Minister personally, foreseeing possible action.
“I am likely to meet Gaude on Friday. I was supposed to meet him today but could not as I continue to be out of station. Let me see what he has to say,” BJP state president Damodar Naik told The Goan.
“I would not like to comment on Cabinet reshuffle for now. Nothing has been decided on it so far,” Naik said, ruling out all media speculation. Naik had on Wednesday said that the party would like to “settle once for all” the issue with Gaude.
The Chief Minister too had slammed Gaude for making “irresponsible” statement while announcing to take action.
Goa Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar had also hit out at Gaude stating the matter could have been discussed with the CM rather than using a public platform first. “The matter should have been discussed before the CM or with the cabinet. Making such a statement without following the protocol is inappropriate,” the Speaker said.
Highly placed sources confirmed that the State BJP unit has been asked to take “appropriate” call on cabinet reshuffle by the High Command. “The high command has indirectly asked the State unit to be cautious,” sources said.
During the Prerna Din function last Sunday, the Minister alleged that the files of contractors are cleared in exchange for bribes, demanding a clarification from the Tribal Welfare Department.
Gaude, who landed in dock following his allegation, made a major U-turn and said that he never blamed the Chief Minister of corruption and his statement was pertaining to the administrative functioning of the tribal department.
Minister later had blamed media for “distorting” and “misinterpreting” his statement.
“Media completely distorted and misinterpreted my statement. Nowhere did I say that CM is involved in any corruption. CM is my very close friend and we have been working together for the last five years,” the Minister had said.
