Why BJP's Goa govt faces corruption storm from its own again

India Today

4 days ago

In a political maelstrom, the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government in Goa has come under fire from its own minister Govind Gaude, who has charged it with corruption and malfeasance.In March, former minister and senior BJP leader Pandurang Madkaikar had alleged that ministers in the state were 'busy counting money' and 'looting' Goa. He even claimed he had paid Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to a minister to get work done.advertisementMadkaikar, who belongs to the Hindu Gauda Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, is a former four-term MLA from Cumbarjua. Gaude too belongs to the Gauda community, which has a significant presence among STs.Speaking at a 'Prerana Din' event organised by the tribal welfare department and the United Tribal Association Alliance on May 25, Gaude, who holds the art and culture portfolio in the government, lashed out at the department, which is under the chief minister himself.
'Prerana Din' is commemorated in the memory of two tribal youngsters killed in mob violence on May 25, 2011 in Balli, around 50 km from state capital Panaji, while they were agitating for demands such as political reservation for STs, notification of scheduled areas and formation of a tribal advisory council. The protests had taken a violent turn and the two youth were burnt alive. The subsequent elections in 2012 saw a backlash from the tribal electorate against the then Congress government, and the BJP was voted to power.advertisementGaude charged that contractors were asked to pay slush money to get their works done. He claimed taxpayer money was not being utilised efficiently.The allegations came as a major embarrassment for Sawant and his government. A visibly upset chief minister promised 'appropriate action' against Gaude. 'Responsible ministers must make responsible statements,' he said.BJP state president Damodar 'Damu' Naik told INDIA TODAY 'the party will take appropriate action' against Gaude. 'We will summon him and ask for an explanation This is a disciplined party, and there are appropriate forums to take up wrongdoings, if any. We will initiate disciplinary action,' Naik said.Incidentally, a reshuffle of the Sawant cabinet has been long pending. It is expected that some ministers will be replaced.Goa legislative assembly speaker Ramesh Tawadkar too came out strongly and asked Gaude to make statements responsibly. Tawadkar and Gaude, both tribal leaders, are said to be at odds. Tawadkar had organised a rally named after tribal icon Birsa Munda, with Gaude questioning the utility of the campaign.While Tawadkar is said to be close to Sawant, Gaude is reported to be close to his challenger Vishwajit Rane, the health minister. The son of former chief minister and Congress veteran Pratapsingh Raoji Rane, Vishwajit quit the Congress and joined the BJP in 2017. He was re-elected from Valpoi constituency in north Goa.advertisementThe Ranes come from a prominent Maratha feudal family with its base in Sattari, and Rane Senior has been the longest-serving chief minister of Goa. He was also the speaker of the Goa assembly. Vishwajit is said to be eager to occupy the chair that his father once sat on.However, Gaude later complained that his statement had been 'misinterpreted' and that he had not said anything against Sawant. Gaude, who went out of station after the controversy broke, also met Sawant later. Gaude has described Sawant as his 'friend' and added that the chief minister had been sensitive to the demands of STs. Gaude also secured support from the United Tribal Associations' Alliance, led by former MLA Prakash Velip.But Gaude's charges have prompted the Opposition to target the government. The Congress's Captain Viriato Fernandes, Lok Sabha MP from South Goa, said Gaude had spoken the truth about corruption. 'This government has become a den of corruption,' he alleged. He said taking action against Gaude was akin to 'shooting the messenger'.Gaude, 53, is an engineer and businessman. He is also an amateur theatre artiste.advertisementIn 2017, Gaude won as an Independent after defeating Pandurang 'Deepak' Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). He joined the BJP and retained his seat in 2022. Deepak's elder brother Ramakrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar is the power minister in the Sawant cabinet, and Gaude has a bristling relationship with the Dhavalikar brothers.Incidentally, Gaude has come under fire for technical glitches and allegations of corruption in the renovation of the Kala Academy Goa. The academy was established by the state government in 1970 as an apex body to develop music, dance, drama and fine arts. Last year, Gaude found himself in the eye of the storm over a purported audio clip of him allegedly abusing and threatening a government officer. Assembly speaker Tawadkar had also charged Gaude with misappropriation of funds.While North Goa is estimated to have a tribal population of 56,606, around 7 per cent of the population, it is 92,669 or 14.5 per cent of the population for South Goa. Put together, the tribal population in Goa is around 10.23 per cent, which includes Christians. In addition, the pastoralist Gouly Dhangar community is also seeking inclusion in the ST category.advertisementAdivasis are regarded as the original settlers and inhabitants of Goa. In 2003, the Gauda, Velip and Kunbi communities were added to the ST category. Though the STs and Scheduled Castes (SCs) have 12 per cent and 2 per cent quotas respectively in jobs and education, the STs have not been given political reservations in the legislative assembly.However, the SCs have one seat reserved for them in the house—Pernem bordering Maharashtra in North Goa, which is represented by Pravin Arlekar of the BJP. The state has four tribal MLAs, who have been elected from general seats: Tawadkar (Canacona), Gaude (Priol), Ganesh Gaonkar (Sanvordem), who belong to the BJP, and Independent Antonio Vas (Cortalim). Vas has declared his support for the BJP.Subscribe to India Today Magazine