Panaji: Even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appeared ‘convinced’ on Wednesday with the clarification of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude over his alleged remark against the department of tribal welfare, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to pursue the matter and hear Gaude’s side on May 29.
It may be noted that Gaude had made a statement during Prerana Day function in Ponda on Sunday wherein he had claimed that something was exchanged near Shram Shakti Bhavan at Patto, Panaji to clear files of the tribal welfare department. Incidentally, the department of tribal welfare is held by the Chief Minister.
Following a controversy over the remark, the grapevine was that Gaude would face action. However, Gaude met the Chief Minister on Wednesday and clarified his position on the remark.
When asked by media persons outside Mantralaya on Wednesday, Gaude claimed that he had not said anything against the Chief Minister. “I have met the Chief Minister. He is my good friend. I have not said anything against him. Some people have allergy about me. The media misinterpreted my statement,” he said.
The Art and Culture Minister said that he had not blamed the Chief Minister and did not speak about corruption. “I had spoken about construction of the Tribal Bhavan and the discipline that is required in the department of tribal welfare,” he said.
When asked about Chief Minister Sawant stating that action would be initiated soon for the ‘irresponsible statement’ made by him, Gaude said he was not aware of it.
Interestingly, admitting that Gaude met him, Sawant, however, refused to say anything on the matter. “He met me. You ask him what he spoke to me,” Sawant told the media.
Meanwhile, state BJP president Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik said the party leadership is aware of the Gaude issue and it has received all the necessary inputs from the state BJP unit. “As the state party president, I have personally updated the leadership about the incident,” Naik said, further adding that he will meet Gaude on May 29 to hear his side of the issue following which appropriate action would be taken.
