VASCO
Hundreds of supporters on Thursday assembled at the Sada ground near the Mormugao police station in support of Mormugao MLA Milind Naik, who resigned as minister late Wednesday night amid allegations of a sex scandal levelled against him.
Condemning the “political stunt” of the Congress, the supporters later burnt effigies of GPCC President Girish Chodankar and Vice President Sankalp Amonkar.
A number of leaders, including BJP Block President Sanjay Satardekar, Mormugao Municipal Council Chairperson Damodar Kaskar and councillors addressed the supporters of Naik at the gathering and demanded a fair probe by the police so that there is clarity on the issue.
Stating that the allegations needed to be proved, Satardekar said they were not sure if the “proof” submitted by Congress was real or doctored.
“It is the duty of the police to clear this issue. Congress comes with such issues on the eve of elections. While political allegations are fine, indulging in character assassination of a person for political mileage is not correct," Satardekar.
"We have full faith in Milind Naik and we will get him elected again with a huge margin. We congratulate Naik for morally resigning for a free and fair probe and we will wait and watch as police investigate the allegations," Satardekar added.
MMC Chairperson Damodar Kaskar said Congress should have complained about the issue long ago when they got to know of the issue.
Former councillor Murari Bandekar said during the 2017 elections, Amonkar had conspired to level allegations of a rape case to defame Milind Naik on the eve of elections.
"I was with Amonkar then and I have been with Congress for over 10 years and I know such tactics. I want to tell Amonkar that such dirty politics will never help him win any elections," said Bandekar.
