Team Goemkarponn
PERNEM: The war of words between former Pernem MLA Babu Azgaonkar and current MLA Pravin Arlekar escalated this week with both leaders trading accusations, including allegations linked to drug activity.
Amid criticism over law and order following a recent acid attack incident, Azgaonkar accused Arlekar of neglecting the constituency and weakening policing. “Law and order is totally collapsed in Pernem. The MLA’s focus is not in the constituency. There is no fear of police in the public. All this is brought in by the current MLA. CM Sawant should personally look into this,” Azgaonkar said.
In a sharp counterattack, MLA Pravin Arlekar defended the police action in the acid attack case, saying the accused was arrested within 24 hours, and hit back with drug-related allegations. “As for Babu Azgaonkar’s claim that I’m involved in ganja selling—he should first explain how his own son is selling ganja in discos. Let him also show how many ganja-related cases are actually registered against me,” Arlekar said.
The bitter exchange has turned the spotlight on the issue of drugs in the coastal belt, with both sides using allegations of narcotics trade as political weapons. While police have not confirmed any such cases against either leader or their families, the accusations have intensified the political tension in Pernem, already under scrutiny for crime and safety issues.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
