PANAJI
Refusing to bow down after being dropped from the State Cabinet, Priol MLA Govind Gaude on Saturday declared that he will neither resign from the ruling BJP nor backtrack from his commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Vikasit Bharat 2047.
In his first ever address to his supporters after being sacked from the Pramod Sawant-led government, an emotional Gaude said he was “punished” for speaking the truth, if one goes by the media “misinterpretation” of his speech dated May 25 that stirred up unease in the party and led to his removal from the Council of Ministers.
“I did not join BJP to resign from it. Only the people of Priol… my constituents and my well-wishers have the right to ask me to step down,” he said.
Despite the political shake-up, Gaude reaffirmed his loyalty to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s mission to build Vikasit Bharat by 2047. “We are committed to the promises made to the party. I will continue to stand with Modi ji,” he said.
Recalling the day he was dropped from the Cabinet that coincided with the Goa Revolution Day, Gaude said it was the happiest day of his life and added “Jo kuch hota hai, acche ke liye hota hai. Bhivpachi garaj na. I was sacked on Goa Revolution Day -- this is the happiest day for a revolutionary like me”. He maintained that speaking the truth should not be seen as indiscipline.
“On June 18, at around 4.45 pm I got a call from CM, who told me he has pressure from BJP National President J P Nadda to ask for my resignation; But there was no question of me resigning as I had not done anything wrong. He ultimately dropped me and told the media that it is his own decision; I have been removed from Cabinet for speaking truth; is it wrong if a Minister asks for accountability & performance from a department,” Gaude said.
Once again blaming the media for “misinterpreting” his statement pertaining to the tribal welfare department, the BJP MLA questioned his own government, “So are government decisions now based on media reports?”
He mentioned that while his address on Prerna Divas event in Ponda on May 25, ended around 12.30 pm, after which he headed for family vacation to Dubai, the entire controversy erupted in the evening after one media outlet highlighted of him accusing CM of corruption.
“I got messages after I reached Dubai. I left my holidays with my family mid-way and rushed back to Goa to clarify my stand to CM,” he said.
Going back to the political developments over the years, Gaude recalled his support for Pramod Sawant’s elevation as Chief Minister in 2019, saying he had opposed the proposal to let MGP supremo Sudin Dhavalikar head the government. “Despite my loyalty, some people in the party are allergic to me,” Gaude said, without naming anyone.
Without naming BJP state president Damu Naik for his sharp criticism and reaction, Gaude shot back, saying “what action will party take for such indiscipline”?
The meeting ended with Gaude emotionally bowing before his supporters, calling them his source of strength and vowing to continue serving Priol with integrity.
