the goan I network
MARGAO
Former Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar on Thursday directed his ire at South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, blaming him for the denial of the BJP ticket to him in the 2017 election, besides facilitating the recent I-T raids against him.
He challenged the South Goa MP to join him for an open debate as he demanded to know how come only Sawaikar was discharged in the UTTA rioting case, while the CBI went on to challenge the relief granted to the tribal leaders in the Supreme Court.
Addressing the media, Tawadkar said that a coterie within the BJP, of which Sawaikar was a part, was instrumental in shunting out party general secretary Satish Dhond out of Goa and was responsible for the defeat of the party in the 2017 Assembly election. “After Manohar Parrikar headed to the national capital to take over the Defence portfolio, this coterie, including Sawaikar became powerful and tried to finish political leaders within the party, who did not fit in their scheme of things,” Tawadkar told the media here on
Thursday.
Accusing Sawaikar for being “jealous” over his administrative qualities in handling the four portfolios allotted to him, the former Sports Minister, who had quit the BJP to contest the 2017 election as an independent, said he was denied the party ticket by Sawaikar and his coteries. “The South Goa MP was jealous of my work and my popularity. He could not digest that I have proved him as a Minister and had taken several decisions taking into account the welfare of the people,” he said.
Tawadkar further alleged that the BJP coterie was responsible for the registration of a FIR in the case that had taken place when the Congress was in power in 2007. “I challenge Sawaikar to come for a public debate and deny that he has not played any role in orchestrating the I-T raids on him by using his position in Delhi,” Tawadkar said, while refuting allegations made by some of the BJP leaders that he was a traitor.
The former Minister said that the South Goa MP
has proved to be a big failure as a MP, saying the MP has failed to bring many a scheme to Goa for the benefit of the people.
Replying to a question, Tawadkar said he has started his work ahead of the 2019 electoral battle, while making clear that neither he has approached any political party nor any party has approached him till date. “There’s still long time to go for the 2019 election. So many things will take place. But I have decided to contest the coming Lok Sabha poll,” he added.
