VASCO
Accusing the Opposition of baseless allegations against him and his wife in the ‘jobs-for-cash’ scam, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the process has been initiated to file a defamation suit against Opposition, including AAP leaders, and legal notices would be issued shortly.
Addressing the media at Dabolim Airport, Sawant emphasised his commitment to ensure transparency in the investigation into the scam and criticised the Opposition for targeting him and his wife with baseless claims.
"The people who had paid for jobs have filed their complaints, and we have arrested the accused. I was the one who initiated this investigation and gave the police a free hand to ensure a fair and transparent probe. No one will be spared in this case," Sawant stated firmly.
He accused the Opposition of resorting to baseless allegations due to a lack of real issues.
"The Opposition cannot see the great work being done by the government, so they have started making such unfounded claims. My wife has never participated in any administrative work of the government. While she is a BJP member, she is not involved in the government’s functioning," Sawant clarified.
Sawant reiterated his intention to take legal action against the Opposition including the AAP leaders, including filing defamation cases.
"I have already begun the process to explore legal options. Notices will be sent through the court, and no one will be spared. These AAP leaders, some of whom are out on bail for the excise scam, need not point fingers at me and my wife," he added.
The CM also highlighted his role in initiating the investigation and implementing the staff selection system to ensure transparency in government job recruitments.
"I was the one who started the staff selection system so that people could get jobs transparently. Complaints have since been filed against third-party individuals who took money in anticipation of providing jobs," he explained.
He expressed disappointment at the opposition’s tactics, calling them a new low in politics.
"In my 25 years of public life, I have never seen Opposition leaders stoop to such levels. While political comments against me are acceptable, targeting my wife, who is not directly involved in government, is unwarranted. This is why I have decided to file defamation cases against these leaders," Sawant concluded.
ED PROBE
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) involvement in the investigation, saying it would further expose the truth.
"The ED has already started its probe, and the truth will come out. It will become clear who took money from people for jobs," he stated.
