MAPUSA
Denying any wrongdoing, Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo on Saturday categorically said he was not a beneficiary of the Regional Plan 2021 as claimed by the Goencho Avaaz.
He also threatened to file a defamation case against activist, Manoj Parab, for falsely dragging his name in the RP-2021 issue.
“As a citizen, I had made an application to change a piece of land from orchard to settlement on January 14, 2016. But till today, the zoning of the land concerned has not been changed. How can anyone claim that I am a beneficiary of the RP-2021?” Ticlo questioned.
On Friday, Goencho Avaaz at the Lohia Maidan meeting declared names of 14 politicians, including ministers and MLAs and nine companies, who have allegedly benefited out of the RP-2021.
Expressing surprise that his name was mentioned as one of the beneficiaries, the Aldona MLA said he was not involved in any illegal land conversions.
“I have not done any illegal land conversion in the past nor will do so in future,” he said. He said he had maintained a clean image in Aldona and claimed that some people were out to destroy this image of his.
“Time and again, these so-called activists come with false information. This is nothing but blackmailing tactics used by them,” he said.
Declaring BJP MLA Glen Ticlo as one of the five BJP legislators who benefited from RP-2021, Goencho Avaaz said that a green cover belonging to the Aldona MLA was shown as settlement.
An angry Ticlo threatened to sue the activists for defamation if they did not apologize to him within 24 hours.
“If Manoj Parab does not apologize in writing, I will file a defamation case against him,” Ticlo said.
Critical of the media, the Aldona MLA said the media should report with responsibility.
“Media is the fourth pillar of democracy. It should verify facts before implicating someone on the mere claims of the so-called activists,” Ticlo said.
