PANAJI
Congress demanded an apology not only from Parrikar but also from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the ‘irresponsible’ statement made by the former Union Defence Minister at an Ambedkar Jayanti function organized in Panaji on Friday.
Speaking at Congress House, All India Congress Committee secretary Girish Chodankar stated, “Parrikar used Vijai Sardessai and others to escape from Delhi by making them demand that he be named the CM in return for extending their support. This is not a sacrifice of the Union berth. This is plain selfishness. It appears that being a CM is more important to Parrikar than the defence of the country.”
Chodankar played a video showing the CM declare that one of the reasons why he returned from Delhi to Goa was the stress he was under in Delhi over various issues including the Kashmir problem.
“The only thing that Parrikar has learnt from Pakistan is how to plot a coup,” Chodankar quipped.
He labeled the CM’s statement as ‘anti-national’ and insisted that it amounts to insult of the personnel of the defence forces, who risk their lives to defend the country. “It is unbecoming of a former defence minister. BJP leaders promised that they will resolve the Kashmir issue once elected. On the contrary, they have undone everything achieved by the Congress in 10 years,” Chodankar lamented.
Chodankar further declared that Parrikar has “failed four times in the past” while predicting that this term will be his ‘fifth failure’.
“He has never seen a responsibility through. He abdicated responsibility thrice as the CM. In 2014, Parrikar leapt to the chair of Union Defence Minister while escaping from his promises over mining, casinos and Medium of Instruction. After that he has proved to be the biggest failure as defence minister,” the AICC secretary stated.
While alleging that Parrikar seeks an easy life, the Congressman demanded that the PM should appoint Parrikar as the governor of a state in the vicinity.
