Free to leave, party image cannot be tarnished: NCP

PANJIM, SEPT 9
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday said that former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco is “no problem” for the party, but quickly added that “he is free to leave the party if he wants.”
The NCP spokesperson Trajano D’Mello made the statement while he was questioned about Pacheco during a press conference here.
Pacheco has been once again in thick of controversy for his alleged involvement in the US immigration racket and with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registering a case against him alongwith two others.
On asked to spell out party’s stand on Mickky’s alleged involved in immigration racket, the NCP spokesperson maintained that they will take a stand once the investigation is complete.
“Let the whole thing come out and we will take a stand then,” said D’Mello further adding that “party’s image cannot be tarnished by one individual.”
It must be recalled that Pacheco was compelled to step down as cabinet minister by NCP when his close friend Nadia Torrado died after consuming rat poison and a case was registered against him. He was slapped with charges of culpable homicide.
On a question as to whether NCP is protecting Mickky in the present case he (D’Mello) remarked, “where is the question of giving him protection as he has himself said that he is open for investigation.
The NCP spokesperson though did not side with Mickky directly, he said, “he (Mickky) is not doing anything but it is happening to him.”