Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: A war of words has erupted between PWD Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and the Margao Congress Block over alleged irregularities in the construction of the Ganesh Chaturthi pandal in the city.
Reacting to the Congress’ accusation of a “pandal scam,” Minister Kamat hit back, stating that the opposition should stay away from religious matters and, if genuinely concerned, should file a written complaint instead of making “false claims” in public.
In a sharp counter, Margao Congress Block Convener Savio Coutinho accused Kamat of diverting attention by giving the issue a religious twist. He questioned the MLA’s moral credibility, recalling that Congress candidates had earlier sworn an oath of loyalty at religious places under Kamat’s leadership. “When you yourself have broken your oath before God, you have no right to give a religious colour to the misuse of public funds,” Coutinho said.
Coutinho further alleged that Kamat’s comments indirectly imply that the alleged irregularities occurred when Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant was holding the PWD portfolio, and therefore, the Chief Minister should clarify his stand on the matter.
Congress leader Damodar Onskar also criticised Kamat, claiming the minister had been “exposed” for attempting to communalize an issue related to public expenditure.
The Margao Congress Block maintained that it will pursue the issue to its logical conclusion to ensure that the funds are returned either to the eight Mandals involved or to the state exchequer.
