Team Herald
PANJIM: As the Congress upped its attack against BJP’s Panjim candidate Sidharth Kuncalienker alleging scams in Smart City Mission project, the saffron party has questioned as to why the issue is been cropped up in the run up to by-election, when the project was in force since 2016.
“The Smart City Scheme under special purpose vehicle Panjim Smart City Development Limited kicked off in 2016 and since then it has been undertaking various projects. Where were Congress and its President Girish Chodankar all this while?” questioned BJP sitting MP and South Goa candidate Adv Narendra Sawaikar.
“It is clear election propaganda and can be seen from the fact that Congress woke up only after Sidharth filed his nominations from Panjim,” he added.
Refuting all the charges levied against Smart City Scheme, Sawaikar urged Congress not to misguide the public on baseless and unsubstantial allegations.
He said the voters are wise enough to know who has brought transformation in Goa during its regime and who are busy searing for scams. “Congress never introduced any scheme but are busy to find out scams,” MP said.
Sawaikar said as a constructive opposition, Congress should have supported the unique Smart City development project and be proud that Panjim is amongst those cities selected for development.
The BJP leader said that all the works done under Smart City are through proper tendering process and there is clear transparency.
GPCC president Girish Chodankar had alleged that the work for restoration, refurbishing and interior design of headquarters which is tendered at the cost of Rs 20 crore was originally estimated at Rs 5 crore. He said that Rs 35 lakh tender is floated for zebra crossing.
Opposition has demanded vigilance inquiry into the matter.
