PANJIM: All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Girish Chodankar on Sunday said that he is ready to apologize to the BJP if Rs 1,000 crore figure is incorrect and also urged the saffron party to disclose the correct amount spent on government formation.
However, Panjim Police on Friday had registered a non-cognizable offence against AICC General Secretary Girish Chodankar for making defamatory statements against Bharatiya Janata Party.
Addressing the media, Chodankar said, “It is learned that BJP has officially filed a complaint against me for defamation and along with me they have also included Section 501 against the media, so I feel this is the first step of this government to curb the freedom of speech and expression, which are the foundation of democracy.”
“For a healthy democracy, I think freedom of expression flourish and the press plays an important role and we at Congress condemn this pressure tactic of Goa BJP by filing compolaint. I urge the CM to give relief to media by deleting Section 501, I am prepared to face battle in court.”
“I am ready to apologise if Rs 1,000 crore figure is wrong and I urge the BJP to disclose the exact amount spent on government formation. If they prove me wrong I am ready to apologize to the BJP not only in media but by also holding a public meeting. This is my assurance to them because this message is very loud and clear to entire Goa and people are talking and moreover their own BJP workers are talking about this,” Chodankar said.
He further said that the onus is on the BJP to actually disclose the money spent on formation of the government and that the saffron party has discriminated in distributing money because some got Rs 100 crore and others got Rs 50 crore.
