Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai has termed the cash-for-jobs scam as ‘Goa’s Vyapam Scam’, alleging that people have died due to it. He has demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant step down immediately, stating that the he has no right to continue in office.
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Sardesai also accused the ruling BJP government of orchestrating a character assassination campaign against him through fringe social media elements.
“In my entire political career, I have never seen criminals being used to target political opponents. This could become a dangerous precedent where criminals are deployed to silence opposition leaders,” he said.
He further alleged that Goa Police were colluding with criminals, accepting hafta (bribes), and enabling wrongdoings by the government.
Commenting on Suleman Siddiqui’s escape from custody, Sardesai criticised the state’s response.
“We had filed an unstarred Legislative Assembly Question (LAQ), and the reply we received stated that the place where Suleman was held was not even a lock-up. This is the official response from the Home Minister of Goa,” he said.
He warned that if Director General of Police (DGP) fails to provide an answer, the matter will be escalated to the Union Home Minister.
“There needs to be accountability and answers. The Goa Police are under pressure and have not taken any action against the real accused,” he asserted.
Sardesai further alleged that the Chief Minister fabricated evidence against him.
“The case against me, from Fatorda to London, has been fabricated and the CM is behind it,” he said.
Addressing the alleged phone call from jail, where Suleman Siddiqui named him and Amit Palekar, Sardesai said,
“Siddiqui may turn around and deny his claims later. My biggest concern is that he may change his version again. Criminals targeting opposition leaders should not be normalised, especially by the media. Why is it that only those who speak against the government’s wrongdoings are being targeted?”
