SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The opposition Congress Party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday hit out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Sadanand Shet Tanavade for calling misappropriation of funds of the Directorate of Art and Culture an internal matter of the ruling party.
Claiming that looting government funds cannot be ‘Internal matter’ of the BJP, the Congress demanded to know whether the funds belonged to the saffron party. The party has demanded resignation of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude after Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar levelled allegations against him over alleged misappropriation of grants.
Condemning Tanavade’s statement, the Congress said that he should first understand that the money which is looted belongs to taxpayers and not BJP. It is a matter of corruption, where Tawadkar has accused Gaude of his involvement. This case should be thoroughly investigated and Gaude should be sacked.
AAP leader Rajdeep Naik too demanded to know how can looting of government funds be internal matter of BJP? It cannot be internal matter of BJP because there is loot of taxpayers’ money. The government should immediately lodge FIR against those organisers who misappropriated funds.
Will discuss with CM & settle the matter: Tanavade on Speaker’s charges against Gaude
PANJIM: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa unit president and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Saturday said that he will discuss with the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant the allegations made by Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar against Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude.
“I have read the news. I will speak to both the MLAs. I will speak to the Speaker as well as the minister and then hold a discussion with the chief minister. It is true that the issue should not have been discussed in this manner. I will discuss with the chief minister and settle the matter,” Tanavade said, responding to questions during a press conference held at the party office in the city.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Friday pointed to the allegations of panchayat members of Canacona, accusing Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude of involvement in misappropriation of funds in the disbursement to cultural groups for programmes.
Tawadkar had pointed out that members of Shristhal, Cotigao and Gaondongrem panchayats had alleged that several organisations had fraudulently obtained funds.
He had further pointed out that the panchayat members had charged that the organisations had fraudulently obtained funds to the tune of Rs 26.85 lakh from the Directorate of Art and Culture for holding cultural programmes, which they alleged never took place.
However, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude had denied the allegations and said that he would initiate an inquiry in the matter.
“It is unfortunate that the Speaker chose the Assembly session to level charges against me,” Gaude had said.
