PORVORIM
Tourism Minister and local MLA Rohan Khaunte slammed the “political drama” surrounding the tension over the removal of the idol of Dev Shree Kapreshwar, the demolition of the structure of the Dev Shree Kapreshwar temple and the translocation of the banyan tree at Vodakkodem in Porvorim.
Hitting out at accusations against him, Khaunte stated that he had been in the opposition during the period from 2019 to 2022 when the consent forms were filed by people now staging protests.
“People should check the names of those persons who had signed the consent forms and the picture will be clear. After filing the consent forms, the matter was placed before the Supreme Court,” said Khaunte.
“After performing all formalities and drawing up a plan, the tender was floated. Once the pillars are constructed the alignment cannot be changed. This is nothing but political drama and there is no point blaming me. If concerns had to be raised, they should have been voiced then and not now, for political gain.”
Khaunte assured the government will ensure that the chief minister's assurances to construct the Dev Shree Kapreshwar temple at Socorro are fulfilled and added that he too respects the sentiments of the people.
