NT NETWORK
Panaji
Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar on Wednesday withdrew his support to the BJP-led government after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant accused him of being involved in land deals.
Sawant on Monday had made a stunning accusation against Gaonkar, alleging that the Sanguem MLA was moving around clinching land deals for setting up the IIT project in Sanguem taluka.
Addressing media persons on Wednesday, Gaonkar slammed Sawant for making the irresponsible allegation against him.
The MLA challenged Sawant to probe the alleged deals if he has evidence to support the allegation.
Gaonkar submitted a letter to Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari apprising the latter of the withdrawal of support to the Sawant government.
“Let the Chief Minister prove his accusation against me. I was flabbergasted by the allegation, which was made against me although I had been supporting the government,” he said.
He reckoned, “There is no point in continuing with the ruling dispensation when the Chief Minister makes baseless and irresponsible allegations. Hence I decided to withdraw the support given to the BJP-led government.”
Remarking that policies of the state government are taking Goa in wrong directions, Gaonkar revealed the details of correspondences he had with the Chief Minister on three possible sites in Sanguem taluka for setting up the IIT project – Cotarli, Rivona and Uguem.
Dwelling on the three sites, he said that there were some issues raised by tenants and a landowner at Cotarli, which could have been resolved by the government.
The tract of land at Rivona is completely barren and is owned by the forest department, he said, adding that the land at Uguem belongs to a society.
“I had discussed all the three sites in Sanguem taluka with the Chief Minister, who never acted upon the suggestions positively,” he disclosed.
“Late Manohar Parrikar had given me the word that the government would set up the IIT campus in Sanguem, and accordingly had set the ball rolling. However, after the sad demise of the former chief minister, the present government led by Sawant did not show any interest in it,” he maintained.
The Sanguem MLA said that he will visit Melauli village in Sattari taluka to meet the people, who have been vehemently opposing setting up of the IIT project in their village.
