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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gaude speaks to party, BJP to send report to Delhi for action
Panaji: Art and culture minister Govind Gaude on Monday explained his side to BJP regarding his statement in connection with the allegations of corruption in the chief minister Pramod Sawant-held tribal welfare department. BJP state president Damodar Naik said that he will send a report to Delhi, and central leaders will decide on the action against Gaude. 'Gaude has explained his side. I will send a report to central leadership. I have to listen to him. I cannot take a one-sided decision. Central leaders will take a decision now,' Naik said. Gaude said that he replied to the questions raised at the meeting. The move to drop Gaude from his minister's post came after he made serious allegations of corruption in the Sawant-held tribal welfare department. Gaude made a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department last Sunday and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency. Piqued by the poor turnout at a UTAA function, the art and culture launched a diatribe against govt.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa minister Govind Gaude's sacking delayed as CM Sawant awaits Delhi's nod
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant 's decision to drop his cabinet colleague Govind Gaude has been delayed by a couple of days as he is waiting for the approval from BJP central leadership. TOI had reported that Sawant and BJP state unit had decided to drop Gaude on Saturday, but had not got the party central leadership nod. Top sources in the party said the decision to drop the art and culture minister has been firmed up and there was no going back on it. 'It is just a formality. We need the central leadership's approval and till late Saturday we did not receive any clearance from Delhi, which has delayed the decision by a couple of days.' The move to drop Gaude from his minister's post came after he made serious allegations of corruption in Sawant-held tribal welfare department. Gaude had made a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department last Sunday and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency. His comments were soon amplified by the United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA) functionaries, who started coming out in open support of Gaude and threatening govt. Piqued by the poor turnout at a UTAA function, Gaude had launched a diatribe against govt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Florida Launches New Policy for Cars Used Less Than 50 Miles/day Bindright Undo '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 had said. Gaude also made allegations about some behind-the-scenes operations. 'The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building (from where the tribal welfare department functions) on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,' he had said. A day later, Sawant strongly came down on his cabinet colleague for raising serious charges against him and had said, 'action will be taken against Gaude'. 'A responsible minister should make a responsible statement. He should not make irresponsible statements. Necessary action will be taken as soon as possible,' Sawant had said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
I am happy as speaker, says Tawadkar on cabinet buzz
Margao: Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Friday said he has so far done justice to the office he holds. He said he was content with it and that inducting him into the cabinet or otherwise was for the chief minister and party brass to decide. 'I made the best use of the speaker's post… minister or no minister, it makes no difference to me. I have enough potential to work for the welfare of society,' he said. Tawadkar dismissed suggestions that differences between him and minister Govind Gaude caused a rift in the tribal community. 'There are differences in every community,' he said. The Canacona MLA said he dissociated himself from the United Tribals Associations' Alliance (UTAA), of which Gaude is a key functionary, after the infamous violent 2011 agitation at Balli. After the 2012 assembly polls, he became a part of govt. 'They wanted to go the path of confrontations and agitations, while I, as tribal welfare minister, couldn't agree to it, and we parted ways,' Tawadkar said, adding that he hasn't been an active member of any tribal organisation since. Tawadkar further said he hasn't encountered any problem dealing with the tribal welfare department so far. His remarks came in the backdrop of speculations that a reshuffle of the cabinet was on the cards and that Gaude could be dropped to make way for Tawadkar. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shubh Aarambh with Honda Shine 125! Honda Learn More Undo Gaude on Sunday, while addressing a function at Ponda organised by the tribal welfare department, raised serious questions about administrative efficiency and transparency in the department, which is directly overseen by CM Pramod Sawant.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Thespian to power play: Under BJP fire for targeting Goa CM, who is minister Gaude?
Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude's bid to level corruption allegations at the Department of Tribal Welfare under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has set off a firestorm in the state, prompting sharp reactions from both the ruling BJP and the Opposition parties. While CM Sawant has warned of action against Gaude for his 'irresponsible' statements, triggering buzz that he may be dropped from the Cabinet soon, the minister seems to be engaged in a damage-control exercise, claiming that he was 'misquoted' in the media. Ahead of a Cabinet meeting Wednesday, Gaude claimed, 'I have never said anything negative about the Chief Minister. He (Sawant) is a good friend of mine. I won't comment on what the Chief Minister said about me. We have already spoken about the issue.' In a post on X, Gaude said he met Sawant and clarified about the context of his controversial speech on 'Prerna Divas' last Sunday. 'While reiterating the demands of UTAA (United Tribal Associations' Alliance), my statements have been reported inappropriately. Goa CM has been sensitive to the demands of the ST (Scheduled Tribe) community and has been a friend of UTAA in its struggles,' he stated. Prerna Divas is observed in the state to commemorate the death of two tribal youths in a mob violence in 2011 when they were undertaking a campaign for the ST rights. The row erupted when Gaude, who also holds Sports and Rural Development portfolios, made a jibe at alleged corruption in the Tribal Welfare ministry at a Prerna Divas event organised by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare along with the UTAA. In his speech, Gaude said, 'A large amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the Tribal Welfare department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it shows a lack of control over the administration. In my opinion, the administration has weakened today. The files of contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan (a government block) building on the sly. Something is taken from them, and then they are asked to submit their files.' A prominent tribal leader, Gaude went on to say that 'The construction of the Tribal Bhavan is a long-pending demand of the tribal community. They gave their land for the project… The foundation stone was laid when I was the Tribal Welfare Minister. The project has been stalled. Why is there no progress in the project?' Maintaining that the Tribal Bhavan project, a key demand of the UTAA, had been stalled for the past three years, Gaude called for Sawant's immediate intervention on the issue, saying, 'The Chief Minister should guide the department properly and get the issues, if any, resolved.' The Opposition parties were quick to latch on to Gaude's remarks, demanding a probe into his allegations against the CM Sawant-led Tribal Affairs ministry. The Congress's Yuri Alemao, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, said that Gaude's allegations have 'exposed the BJP government's corruption'. Alemao said, 'The Anti-Corruption Branch should probe these claims and take action against those guilty of bribery. It is time for the BJP to prioritise transparency and root out corruption. Hope the BJP does not say it is their internal matter. Party with a difference is exposed by differences.' Stung by the row, the BJP leadership signalled that it would take disciplinary action against Gaude for his 'repeated misdemeanours'. Sawant said, 'Responsible ministers should speak responsibly and avoid making irresponsible statements. I have taken cognisance (of Gaude's statements) and appropriate action shall be taken.' State BJP president Damu Naik told The Indian Express, 'BJP is a disciplined party. The discipline has to be maintained. No one is above the party. I have not met him (Gaude) since I was not in the state. I will meet him and discuss. Some action will definitely be taken.' Senior BJP tribal leader, Ramesh Tawadkar, who is also the Assembly Speaker, said if Gaude had any concerns, he should have discussed it with the CM. Gaude's allegations came days after another BJP leader and ex-minister Pandurang Madkaikar alleged that all ministers in the BJP government were 'busy counting money'. Madkaikar later withdrew his allegations. A theatre actor-turned-politician, Gaude, 53, had in 2023 essayed the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in a play based on the life of the Maratha ruler. Gaude, who represents the Priol constituency, has often courted controversies over the last several years, managing to weather the ensuing storms. In February 2024, Tawadkar accused Gaude for his alleged involvement in misappropriation of government funds to the tune of Rs 26 lakh meant for organising cultural programmes in South Goa's Canacona constituency. In 2022, Gaude sparked a row when he defended the Sawant government's decision to allocate renovation work of Kala Academy in Panaji without a tendering process, saying that even the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had not 'invited quotations for building the Taj Mahal, which for 390 years has remained as it was'. In the previous BJP government, Gaude had been a minister while remaining an Independent MLA supporting the ruling party. He had then also held the Tribal Welfare portfolio along with the Art and Culture ministry. He retained his ministerial berth even after Sawant succeeded Manohar Parrikar as the CM in 2019 following the latter's demise. Ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls, Gaude joined the BJP and won the election on its ticket from his Priol seat by defeating the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP)'s president Deepak Dhavalikar. In the current row surrounding Gaude, the UTAA has backed him, saying his remarks were 'misconstrued'. UTAA president Prakash Velip said, 'The minister's intentions were not to cast aspersions on the Chief Minister. He aimed to highlight the delays caused by the Tribal Welfare ministry officials in addressing proposals related to the tribal community, including the much-anticipated Tribal Bhavan.'
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa minister Govind Gaude takes a dig at CM Pramod Sawant, alleges corruption in tribal welfare dept
Margao: Art and culture minister Govind Gaude on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department during a Prerna Din function 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's 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. His comments are being viewed as politically significant given that CM Pramod Sawant also holds the tribal welfare portfolio. Gaude also made allegations about some behind-the-scenes operations. 'The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,' he said. Later Gaude questioned govt's failure in fulfilling the long-pending tribal bhavan construction project. 'Construction of a tribal bhavan is a long-pending demand of the tribals. The community gave their land for the project, the foundation stone was laid when I was the tribal minister. The project has been stalled for the last three years,' he said to reporters. 'Why is there no progress on the project? The tribal department should explain. ' In what appeared to be a direct aim at the chief minister, Gaude called for immediate intervention from the top. 'The chief minister should guide the department properly and get the issues, if any, resolved immediately,' he said.
