MARGAO: Vice Chairman of the Entertainment Society of Goa Damu Naik has put in his papers and plans to get engaged fulltime for the 2017 state Assembly elections.
Damu had tendered his resignation on October 3 and it was accepted on October 4. Damu has been the vice chairman since 2014 and has conducted two International Film Festivals of India during his tenure.
Amid speculations of Damu having quit after Goa Forward had alleged his involvement in a bribe case, he said he had quit as he needed to concentrate on pre-poll activities and meet his voters and his involvement with ESG would have been affected.
“The (ESG) work doesn’t end with conducting IFFI, there are a lot of bills to be cleared and other things to be done post IFFI,” Damu said. He also said that his resignation had nothing to do with the allegations of Goa Forward of him having accepted a bribe of over Rs 2 crore and has claimed that that he is least bothered about their allegations. “Let them take me to court, seek RTI help. People know Damu Naik and the person of Goa Forward who alleged the same,” he said.
He also said there has been no discussion regarding his successor and the decision will be taken by the chief minister.
Damu boasts of having hosted two IFFIs, the Goa Film Festival which was blocked for last 8 years and also other film festivals.
Damu also said the Film Finance Scheme was formulated under him and will be in force soon.
