Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Former Minister Mickky Pacheco launched a sharp counterattack against allegations linking him to BJP funding during the 2012 Assembly elections, while also raising concerns over Congress finances, traffic management, and the need to strengthen voter awareness about the Congress party.
Rejecting allegations that the BJP funded the formation of the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), Pacheco clarified that the claims were made by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar and not by him.
“The allegations were made by Chodankar, not by me,” Pacheco said, dismissing suggestions that he had admitted to receiving BJP funds.
Escalating his attack on former Congress leader Vikas Prabhudesai, Pacheco challenged him to produce evidence supporting allegations that he received BJP funds to float the Goa Vikas Party during the 2012 Assembly elections to weaken the Congress.
Pacheco further demanded that Prabhudesai disclose the Congress party’s financial records from the period when he served as the party treasurer. He asked him to reveal where the party’s funds were spent, how much money was utilised, and also challenged him to disclose how many crores of rupees he allegedly received from former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Claiming that he once served as the “supreme leader” of the Congress in Goa, Pacheco said he was never driven by money and insisted that politics should be based on principles rather than financial interests.
Speaking on the party’s future, Pacheco said Congress workers must educate voters about why they should support the Congress whenever the party fields capable and credible candidates. He stressed that voters should be made aware of the party’s ideology, leadership and vision instead of merely seeking votes during elections.
Apart from political issues, Pacheco also submitted a memorandum to the Transport Department and the Transport Minister, urging a comprehensive review of traffic signals and AI-based surveillance cameras across Goa.
He said traffic signals installed at unnecessary locations should be removed to improve traffic flow and reduce inconvenience to commuters. Pacheco maintained that traffic management measures should be practical and aimed at easing congestion while ensuring road safety.
His remarks come amid an intensifying political war of words over allegations of funding linked to the 2012 Assembly elections, with both sides demanding greater transparency and accountability over past political finances.
