In U-turn, Gaude says he never said CM involved in corruption
Panaji: Art and culture minister Govind Gaude on Wednesday took a u-turn and said that he never stated that chief minister
Pramod Sawant
is involved in any corruption, but that the media misinterpreted his statement.
Gaude's clarification comes within two days of Sawant deciding to act against him.
Meanwhile, state BJP president Damodar Naik said that Gaude has been summoned to the BJP office on Thursday over this statement.
Gaude, who was out of the state, arrived in Goa and attended the cabinet meeting. 'The speculative statement which has appeared in various media is a misinterpretation by the media. I never said in my statement that the Goa chief minister is involved in corruption.
Nowhere have I mentioned such a thing,' said Gaude.
'I want to say one thing: the Goa chief minister is my close friend. For the past five years, I worked with him. Today, I came all the way to meet the chief minister. I met him and briefed him. I spoke on the system of the department,' he said.
On Monday, Sawant strongly criticised Gaude for raising serious charges against him and said that action would be taken against him.
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Sawant's statement came a day after Gaude alleged that there was rampant corruption in the tribal welfare department under the CM. 'A responsible minister should make a responsible statement. I have taken cognisance of it. He should not make irresponsible statements. Necessary action will be taken as soon as possible,' Sawant said. Without spelling out what action he intended to take or whether he intended to drop Gaude from his cabinet, Sawant only said, 'Wait till I take action.
'
Gaude on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency. 'A huge amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the tribal welfare department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it only shows a lack of control over the administration,' Gaude said at the event, organised by the tribal welfare department in association with the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) at Ponda.
The minister was seemingly piqued over the poor turnout at the event.
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