Staff Reporter
Panaji/Margao
Opposition legislators called on law enforcement agencies, including the police, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Vigilance Department, to investigate corruption allegations made by former minister and ex-Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar.
Madkaikar, who is presently in BJP, claimed on Tuesday that corruption is rampant in the government, alleging he was asked to pay nearly Rs 20 lakh to a minister to clear a file. However, he did not disclose the minister’s name.
Stating that it’s a very serious allegation, Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao demanded an inquiry into the matter. “The Chief Minister cannot decline to comment on it. The charge is against his cabinet colleague and he has to clarify and issue a statement,” he said demanding that the chief minister must seriously look into the charge and institute an inquiry immediately.
Alemao also felt that Madkaikar should name the minister. “He should also file a police complaint,” he said adding that Congress has exposed BJP of corruption over the years
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai accused law enforcement of inaction and alleged that BJP has “normalised corruption”.
“What Madkaikar has said is nothing new. I have raised such issues in the past and proven them on the floor of the House.
The government now shortens assembly sessions to avoid questions on scams,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Girish Chodankar said the allegations have once again exposed deep-rooted corruption in the BJP-led government. “If Goa were under opposition rule, such statements would have immediately led to large-scale Enforcement Directorate raids on ministers and party offices,” he said.
AAP Goa president Amit Palekar demanded an immediate probe and FIRs, challenging Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s silence on the issue.
“This is not just an allegation; this is a confession by a former minister himself. If a leader who was once in power admits to paying bribes, imagine what common people go through,” he said, adding that the ACB must take suo-motu action.
AAP’s Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas also condemned the BJP government, stating, “BJP does not even spare its own party members when it comes to corruption.” He demanded a thorough investigation into Madkaikar’s claims.
Palekar further criticised the government for allegedly protecting its leaders while targeting citizens over environmental and religious matters. “Police are acting as BJP’s private force,” he said.
Revolutionary Goans party MLA Viresh Borkar said the BJP leader’s statement has shown how
deep corruption is in the government. He demanded that ACB and ED should
investigate the matter
immediately.
On the recent temple demolition in Porvorim, Palekar stated that it would be rebuilt through public contributions and accused BJP of forcibly shifting places of worship under false promises. He called upon all opposition parties to unite for Goa’s welfare, stating, “This is a fight for justice rather than politics.”
