PANJIM: Clearing the air on the opposition’s charges on his purchase of properties in Dodamarg, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday threatened legal action against his critics, and asked Goa Forward president Vijai Sardesai to come clear on his own income and property deals.
Addressing the media at his official residence, Sawant said the Opposition has stooped to a new low and fabricating numbers to prove him guilty.
“The Opposition is just spreading lies and nothing else. Yes, I do have properties in Dodamarg but not what Sardesai claims of 1.20 cr sq metres. He has to correct his maths. I have three properties – one 3,200 sq mts, second of 17,800 sq mts and the third of 12,000 sq mts, which the opposition claims is 2,966 acres. Sardesai failed to see a decimal point, it is actually 2.966 hectares,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he has purchased all properties by paying from his account through bank loans.
“He (Vijai) is calling me a liar; actually he is taking people for a ride in the name of Goenkarponn. He should answer to the people how his income increased by 500 per cent in five years between 2007 and 2012,” Sawant said, adding, “In 2007 Vijai’s income was Rs 5.45 cr, which increased to Rs 25.21 cr in 2012. These are affidavits sworn before the Election Commission.”
Sawant said the jump in the income came despite Sardesai and his wife showing an annual income of just Rs 7 lakh per annum. “Not only this, Sardesai and his wife, have nine flats in one building for which land was converted by him. How can a person whose income is just seven lakh afford nine flats?” Sawant asked, adding that the opposition is now taking to a fake and malicious campaign through social media.
“I inquired into the name of one Ramesh Govekar whose post has started all the rumours. Shockingly, I am told the person does not exist at all,” he stated. The CM said senior Congress leader like Digvijay is retweeting such fake posts.
Asked what action he intends to take, the chief minister said, “I have asked police to inquire into this fake ID, besides I have asked opinion of my legal experts and I will take legal action.”
He said that the Opposition cannot see the good work being done by the government and hence is taking up some flimsy issues to defame him.
On Sardesai’s comments that the CM should go to campaign in Karnataka on the Mhadei issue, Sawant said Sardesai should not advise him on the issue. “I assure Goans that I will not allow water diversion. I will never compromise on Mhadei. Just that we need time,” he said.
