PANAJI
Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo on Monday launched a scathing verbal attack against TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane accusing the latter of targeting his personal businesses in a bid to prove to his party high command he is one-up over the Chief Minister in his lust for the chair.
"He is misusing his position and government staff to target my businesses," Lobo said, adding that officials of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) which is under him have swooped down on his restaurant and are nit-picking on frivolous issues.
"Five of my restaurants have been given notices by FDA and officials have started obstructing clients from entering restaurants since today morning," Lobo, flanked by his wife and Siolim MLA, Delilah Lobo said.
He said, the minister is planning to target other restaurants owned by them.
Delilah said, these restaurant businesses are being operated by them even before Michael entered politics by winning the ZP election in 2010.
"So all these businesses were legal and fine when he was in the BJP? Now that we are in Congress and in the Opposition, these have become illegal?," Delilah sought to question.
Lobo said, he has spoken to the Chief Minister about the abuse of power and office by Rane.
"He is using government servants like slaves and is behaving like a 'raja' (king)," Lobo said, adding that they (Rane's) claim to be the 'rajas' of Sattari.
Meanwhile reacting to Lobo's allegations, Rane hit back advising Lobo to follow the rule of law which is applicable to everyone.
Rane took to the micro-blogging site and tweeted: "With so many illegalities occuring in the coastal belt, I'd like to emphasize that any illegal structure that has obtained an FDA licence by presenting false documents will be cancelled after due process. LoP cannot complain when a slew of illegalities are taking place."
Rane in another tweet alleged that Lobo when he was chairman of the NGPDA had committed numerous illegalities.
"The LoP apparently as per what the facts & reports suggest, as Chairman of the NGPDA has committed numerous illegalities. I don't believe he is in a position to pass any kind of judgement. This vile outburst in front of the media will not help," Rane said in yet another tweet.
Interestingly, Rane has tagged the PMO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, BJP in-charge of Goa CT Ravi and Maharashtra Opposition Leader Devendra Fadnavis in his tweets.
