PANJIM: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar on Wednesday released an alleged audio clip of Mandrem BJP MLA Dayanand Sopte demanding lakhs of rupees to pass a project from a businessman.
Chodankar played the audio of Sopte demanding money. Former Minister Sangeeta Parab, Morjim ZP Member Satish Shetgaonkar and vice president Babi Bagkar were present on the occasion.
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Chodankar said whatever allegations he has made against BJP MLAs and Ministers are not empty, but has evidence and base for it. “As a party president I know my responsibilities, and I raise these public issues as people of Goa are suffering. People of Mandrem are also suffering to pay ‘Sopte Tax’. Hence to give justice to people, I had taken this issue. Now at least Sopte and his supporters should accept that they are into this `illicit trade’ of extortion,” he said.
A few days ago Chodankar had alleged that the Mandrem MLA had imposed ‘Sopte Tax’ on anyone doing business in the coastal constituency. “Sopte is more busy in collecting these taxes from the businessmen than concentrating on development. People will teach him a lesson this time for betraying and for indulging in corruption,” he had then said.
Sangeeta Parab said that illegal constructions are taking place in Mandrem constituency and despite complaints the local MLA and the BJP government is not paying heed to it.
“MLA is mum over such incidents taking place in Mandrem. Why is he mum?” Parab questioned.
Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte on Wednesday late evening filed a complaint against Congress president Girish Chodankar for defaming him by releasing an audio clip and alleging that he was collecting ‘Sopte tax’.
After filing complaint with the DGP I D Shukla at the Police Headquarters, Panjim, Sopte claimed that the voice in the audio clip is not his. He charged that Chodankar was doing this out of frustration and expressed his confidence of getting justice for himself through police inquiry within next five days.
