Team Herald
PANJIM: Referring to the pointed accusation of Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik that the Chief Minister of Goa is corrupt, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and MLA Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday demanded the immediate dismissal of the Sawant government and imposition of President’s Rule in the State.
“Goans will not take this blot of corruption lightly and demand strong action against the culprits,” he said.
Sardesai along with GFP members called upon Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai and submitted a memorandum stating, “The Chief Minister must understand that Goan pride is not negotiable or up for sale. The continuation of Pramod Sawant as the Chief Minister has become absolutely untenable and the continued existence of his government, an impropriety and a mockery of all democratic, ethical and moral principles.”
The GFP president demanded that the Government of India order an inquiry under a retired Supreme Court judge into all the dubious dealings by the Goa government. “We see this as a befitting case to approach the High Court with, for registering an FIR against the government, with a chargesheet to be filed within 90 days of FIR. Moving expeditiously in such matters of corruption will ensure that the people retain their faith in the Constitution of India,” he said.
The memorandum added, “His (Malik’s) accusation that the Chief Minister of Goa is corrupt has been received by the people of Goa with profound shock not because it was something they did not already suspect but because a constitutional body like the Governor was compelled to reveal it publicly.”
Later speaking to media persons, Sardesai reiterated that it is imperative that strong action be taken against the Sawant government, which is the only way to restore confidence of the people in the concept of a democratic government.
