PANAJI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar did not turn up for the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Thursday leading Congress and other opposition leaders in the State, who had warned of protests against him over the Mhadei imbroglio if he did, to claim a ‘victory’ of sorts.
Congress and other activists agitated over the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) giving a virtual nod to Karnataka for its proposed Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project had heckled Javadekar at the opening ceremony on November 20.
Javadekar also holds the MoEF&CC portfolio and had controversially tweeted about the letter issued to Karnataka by his ministry. He had later deleted the tweet within an hour after angry reactions from Goa.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president, Girish Chodankar, tweeted: “So finally @moefcc @PrakashJavdekar gets clean bowled before facing a single ball at @IFFIGoa. Its hit wicket for @DrPramodPSawant. So @INCGoa will remain away from todays match at Bambolim. But, @goacm should note that Game is not over yet. #MhadeiJagor will continue. @INCGoa.”
On November 20, three activists were arrested midway though the opening ceremony when they shouted slogans when Javadekar was delivering his speech.
Javadekar is accused of favouring Karnataka for political reasons as some 20-odd assembly seats in that State have had by-polls.
He was conspicuously absent at the closing ceremony.
