PANAJI
A day after former Goa Governor Satya Pal Malik levelled sensational allegations of corruption against the BJP-led government, the BJP on Tuesday said that Malik should maintain decorum and resign from his constitutional position before criticising an incumbent government.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, state BJP general secretary Damu Naik also said that Malik was merely blabbering and his comments were unfair and unconstitutional in nature.
"I only have to say (to Malik) that do not criticise my government while occupying a constitutional post. Resign first and then say whatever you want," Naik told the press conference held at the Bharatiya Janata Party's state headquarters in Panaji.
"A person holding the post of a Governor has behaved in an unconstitutional manner. He currently occupies the post of Governor (of Meghalaya). He has behaved unconstitutionally and blabbered incessantly. This is wrong. If there was something wrong, the Governor should have sent a report to the home ministry," Naik also said.
The former BJP MLA also sniffed at a conspiracy behind Malik's comments to a national television news channel on Monday in which the former Goa Governor slammed Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led administration, accusing it of indulging in corruption in any and everything, particularly singling out corrupt practices in the midst of the pandemic.
"Why (did he say this) with just one month to go for the elections? Who is behind this? Whose conspiracy is this? He did not raise this issue when he was Governor. Did we put a tape on his mouth at that time?" Naik said.
Naik also said that the role of a Governor is limited to clearing files and raising issues if any with the Chief Minister.
"A Governor does not speak to people. If he gets a file, it is up to him to endorse or reject it. If he finds something wrong with the file, he can call the CM and take up the issue with him. He can say, there are question marks about this. Has the Governor done this," Naik said.
Reacting to demands made by opposition party leaders including those from the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Goa Forward for the resignation of Sawant in wake of Malik's comments, Naik said: "Those who are demanding the resignation, they should not lecture Goans. These parties are drowning in corruption. Goa Forward was drowning in corruption. Evidence of their corruption will come out at the right time".
