Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The Margao Block Congress on Thursday dismissed the induction of Margao MLA Digambar Kamat into the state cabinet, saying the development “has absolutely no bearing” on the Congress party in Margao.
Reacting to the swearing-in, Block Congress Convener Savio Coutinho remarked in Konkani, “Amka bhivpachi kaslich garaz na, pun BJPche mukea mantreak chadd bhivpaci garaz assa” (We have nothing to fear, but BJP needs to be worried about its mute ministers).
Coutinho alleged that Margao has witnessed several fraudulent works under Kamat’s leadership, citing the Rawanfond bridge project costz escalation from ₹21.3 crore to ₹54 crore in just a year. He further accused the PWD, under the Chief Minister, of sanctioning inflated projects where less than 50% of the work is executed, yet contractors are allegedly paid in full — sometimes even more through “arbitrary cost revisions.”
He claimed that the ongoing “Model Margao” initiative is being funded through such excess contractor payments, with beneficiaries being “baptised as philanthropists” by the MLA.
Slamming the BJP, Coutinho said even original party workers in Margao had admitted awareness of fraudulent works but chose silence as Kamat’s ministerial aspirations were long opposed by the cadre. “Today, BJP has dumped their sentiments in the gutters,” he remarked.
The Congress Block vowed to continue its activities with “the same vigour,” asserting that Madgaonkars had already shown that Kamat’s defection to the BJP did not benefit either him or the ruling party. “In 2027, we shall prove that his ministership also did not help,” Coutinho said.
Pointing out that more than half the current cabinet comprises former Kamat-era ministers, Coutinho quipped that it was now time for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to revise his catchphrase and start saying “Bhivpachi Garaz Assa” (We need to fear).
