Dropped from Goa Cabinet after alleging graft in CM-led dept., Gaude ratchets up attack-OxBig News Network

Sacked Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, who had alleged corruption in the Tribal Welfare Department headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Sunday said he would not resign as MLA or quit BJP and continue to work for tribal people.

Addressing a public rally at Marcel village, Mr. Gaude said he has written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, and President Droupadi Murmu informing them about “happenings in the coastal State”.The tribal leader was sacked from the Sawant Cabinet on Wednesday, almost a month after he alleged corruption in the Tribal Welfare Department.

Mr. Gaude said he would not resign as an MLA or from the BJP membership.

“I had not joined the BJP to resign from the party. I will stay with the party and help PM Modi achieve his dream of Viksit Bharat 2047,” he added.

Mr. Gaude claimed he was not allowed to meet the party brass, including Mr. Nadda, during the last three-and-a-half years. “Now, I know why they did it,” he added.

He claimed Mr. Sawant had called him over the phone and asked him to resign due to “pressure from Mr. Nadda”.

“Mr. Sawant told me that there was pressure from Mr. Nadda and asked me to resign. But he [Mr. Sawant] later told the media that it was his decision (to remove me from the Cabinet),” Mr. Gaude alleged.

60-year struggle

Mr. Gaude said tribals in Goa have been struggling for justice for the last 60 years.

“I am fighting for their rights. Their demands should have been discussed, not the statement that I made about inefficiency and corruption in the Tribal Welfare department,” the former Minister said.

He added that he would send copies of his speech to BJP leaders in Delhi to prevent wrong interpretation or narrative.