PANAJI
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, under flak for his “corruption” remark, blamed the media for “completely distorting” and “misinterpreting” his statement.
Gaude, who met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in a bid to avert the possible action, said that he never blamed the Chief Minister of corruption and his statement was pertaining to the administrative functioning of the Tribal Welfare Department.
However, the Chief Minister refused to speak on their meeting. "I met Gaude...better you ask him (Gaude)," Sawant said.
During the Prerna Din function in Ponda on Sunday, Gaude alleged that the files of contractors are cleared in exchange for bribes, demanding a clarification from the Tribal Welfare Department, which is under the Chief Minister.
Gaude, who landed in dock following his allegation, on Wednesday said that “many reporters and media are allergic to Govind Gaude and in that case, I can’t do anything”.
The Minister stressed that his comments were not directed as an accusation against the Chief Minister. “I never made any accusation of corruption against the CM. He is my friend, and we’ve worked together for five years,” Gaude stated, adding that he had come all the way to meet the Chief Minister, and it was his “responsibility” to clarify his intent personally.
“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 said.
“The media that reported that I have accused the CM of corruption is absolutely wrong reporting. It was a very simple issue pertaining to the affairs of Tribal Welfare Department and tribal bhavan but I don’t know why it was exaggerated by the media,” he commented.
He appealed to the media not to spread “false information” and challenged them to prove him wrong. “If I have said anything wrong…let the media, who were present for that event, prove it,” Gaude added.
In a post on 'X', he said, “I met CM Pramod Sawant and clarified the context of my speech. While reiterating the demands of the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA), my statements were reported inappropriately,” Gaude posted.
He said Chief Minister Sawant has always been sensitive to the demands of the Scheduled Tribes community and a “friend of UTAA in its struggles.”
Reacting to the Chief Minister’s remark that his statement was “irresponsible,” Gaude responded, “I don’t know in what context the CM said that. The BJP is united,” he commented.
During the event, Gaude had questioned the efficiency and transparency in the department and alleged officers' involvement in corruption. “The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,” Gaude had said.
“Contractors don’t have to go to the office…everything happens below (the building),” he had commented.
