ANOTHER CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING CONG’s SOUTH GOA CANDIDATE

Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: In what could spark a major debate and embarrassment to the Congress., an audio has gone viral allegedly of the party’s South Goa candidate captain Viriato Fernandes claiming that the anti-mining petition filed in the Supreme Court by Goa Foundation was to favour the mining companies, who were suffering huge losses due to collapse of dollars in 2012.
The audio viral on social media reveals a
telephonic conversation, a person speaking in Viriato’s voice even goes on to level charges against several politicians, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao’s father Joaquim Alemao.
In the audio Viriato allegedly says a South Goa regional party president was instrumental in directing GF Claude Alvares to move the Court for a legal ban till the time, dollar stabilizes.
“However, SC directing fresh auction of leases went against the mining companies,” he said.
Goemkarponn was not able to independently verify the viral audio clip of a Congress candidate.
The telephonic conversation begins with Capt Viriato explaining the iron ore mining loot began in Goa and its subsequent consequences.
Viriato is heard saying…”Mining loot happened …there was the Olympics to be held in China Beijing…the iron ore available in Goa was a low-grade quality…illegal mining happening in Karnataka by the Reddy brothers …they were mixing the good quality ore from there and mixing it with our low-grade ore …the main was former MLA Anil Salgaonkar and hence there was an arrest warrant against him in China.”
Viriato further says that political bigwigs like Digambar Kamat, Joaquin Alemao and Deepak Pawaskar were involved in illegal mining.
He says that with the sudden boom in mining, there was the collapse of dollar and the mining companies involved in exports started suffering losses in crores
“They wanted someone to bail them out,” he said adding accordingly a meeting was held at one Sardesai’s House, which was attended by all mining representatives including Claude Alvares.
“Claude was asked to move court and get legal ban..so that mining companies can tell China that they cannot supply ore as we have been banned by law,” he said.
“Claude went to court to help mining companies …but SC asked to auction lease and there everything failed..hence whenever u ask Claude about the auction of leases he never sounds happy,” he said.
Neither the Congress nor the BJP or Goa Foundation have issued any clarification on this video.