PANAJI
Congress President Amit Patkar, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and All India Congress Working Committee member Girish Chodankar launched a scathing attack on the Pramod Sawant-led administration, calling for accountability, transparency and even dissolution of the government.
Patkar claimed that Gaude’s remarks were not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend of internal dissent within the ruling BJP. “This is not the first time a minister has spoken against their own government. Earlier too, such revelations were made. The balloon is bursting. Ministers and MLAs are now exposing their government that without paying bribes, files are not cleared. This government has lost its moral authority to continue...the Governor should dissolve it,” he demanded.
Sardesai described the minister’s comments as “not a revelation but a sign of frustration.” He alleged that corruption under the BJP government has become “institutionalized.”
“Gaude’s statement that contractors need to pay bribes to get files cleared is not much of a revelation but a sign of utter frustration with his own government. As an insider, he must know the dangerous extent to which the Goa government and the BJP Goa cultivated and encouraged corruption in every department under it,” he said.
Chodankar echoed these sentiments, stating that CM Sawant can no longer remain silent. “This time, the allegations are coming from within his own cabinet. He must respond,” he said adding, “We are witnessing a troubling trend of corruption within the current BJP government, as highlighted by Cabinet Minister Gaude. His recent revelations shine a light on critical issues impacting the ST, SC, and OBC communities, necessitating immediate attention.”
The controversy erupted after Gaude openly stated that contractors were being forced to pay bribes to get files cleared in the department.
