PANJIM: The Congress on Monday demanded resignation of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant after his photo along with the disgraced Bollywood actor Kapil Jhaveri involved in the rave party went viral on social media.
Jhaveri, is one of the four main accused arrested during a rave party busted last weekend at Vagator. His photo has been going viral with Sawant, Minister for Ayush Shripad Naik, Minister for Civil Supplies Govind Gaude, GTDC chairman Dayanand Sopte, Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and Congress leader Ramakant Khalap.
Reacting to the pictures, Sawant earlier in the morning had informed media persons that he had met Jhaveri in his official capacity. “I have given free hand to the police to investigate the case,” he had said.
Addressing media persons on Monday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar said the drug trade in the State has been flourishing with the blessings of successive BJP-led governments.
“Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and BJP office bearers are protecting the drug peddlers. Drug trade has been BJP’s business,” he said.
Pointing to the photos going viral, Chodankar said the Chief Minister needs to answer to public about his meeting with Jhaveri. “CM needs to step down for his complete failure to control the drug menace in the State. CM and his party members’ photos with the accused show the involvement of BJP in drug business,” he said.
“If CM is not able to control the situation, he has no moral right to continue in the chair,” he demanded.
Chodankar said the Chief Minister needs to make a statement as to how rave parties are going on during the current pandemic.
Speaking on the issue, GPCC general secretary Agnelo Fernandes said in the entire country, North Goa is known for drug trade and rave parties.
“These parties are held every weekend with blessings of politicians and police,” he charged.
The former MLA said a Russian agency is operating in North belt, who supplies dancers for the parties.
