IT’S WAR: Tawadkar-Gaude fight out in the open with ‘soiled linen’ washed in public

PANJIM: There is nothing hidden or subtle any more. The gloves are  off . Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and At and Culture Minister Govind Gaude’s bitter face off   took an even more intense turn with the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) minister is being targeted and the allegations made against the minister are out of frustration.

Addressing a press conference at Panjim, Former Minister and UTAA president Prakash Velip said that various sorts of tactics are being adopted to 

target Gaude.

Velip said, “There are various types of events organised by different departments. Will there be inquiry into those departments as well? The fact is that the allegations against the minister are being made as there is frustration,” he said.

The attack was a no holds barred one. “How much fund has been spent by Department of Tribal Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Forest Department and Department of Tourism? Will there be inquiry against those departments as well? Crores of rupees is being spent by these departments. There should be inquiry against these departments as well. If not then targeting of a Minister who is a simple person should stop,” Velip demanded.

Tawadkar did not take time to retaliate. As soon as the Assembly was adjourned for the day, Tawadkar called the media and shot back, “I would like to tell UTAA president Prakash Velip that he should prove the charges made against me or withdraw them.”

Tawadkar pressed further,  “Velip had become senile and was making baseless charges against me.”

“Why is allocation of funds to some cultural organisations in Priol constituency hurting someone? There are many organisations in my Canacona constituency which have received funds and I have no problem. The funds were released from the government. Why is it hurting UTAA. The issue is being addressed by the government, Assembly,” he added

When asked about the audio clip  where  Gaude purportedly  directs the Director of Tribal Welfare Dashrath Redkar, to call off a programme in his constituency which the Chief Minister was gracing by hurling expletives directed against Pramod Sawant,

Velip said,  “With technology anything can happen. But as far as Gaude is concerned, he has never done any injustice with anyone.”

This appears amusing since Redkar himself confirmed the veracity of that specific telephone conversation without commenting on the contents.

Tawadkar however had not doubt about the audio clip: “The language used (by the Minister) in the 

audio is before the public,” he said.

It was clear that UTAA is openly cheerleading Gaude. The UTTA president said that it is Gaude due to whom the local artistes are being promoted as he himself being an artiste has been supporting the artistes. 

“He has been supporting artistes, especially tribal artistes and women,” 

Velip said.

Tawadkar would have none of it. Throwing political diplomacy to the winds, he said, “I am not a member of UTAA but I have been MLA since 2005.  What is the reason that those who are not connected to me, are making allegations against me when I am not connected to UTAA. Panchayat members and sarpanchas have some concerns. I conveyed their grievances to the Chief Minister,” Tawadkar said.

The Speaker said as far as organisation of Lokotsav in Canacona was concerned, the event was organised irrespective of he being in the government or the Opposition.