Panaji: AAP Goa President Amit Palekar went full throttle against his Congress counterpart Amit Patkar, claiming he is in nexus with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Palekar alleged that Patkar had mining interests in the constituency of Pramod Sawant. He also pointed out that Patkar had won a contract to transport ore during the recent auctioning.
One cannot get such contracts without being close to the Chief Minister. There are clear indications that Patkar is close to the CM. Patkar is compromised, he said.
Palekar also alleged that Patkar was visiting the official residence of the CM to take political advice from him.
The AAP Goa chief’s statement comes days after the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused Patkar of enjoying the blessings of the Chief Minister.
Palekar said that AAP has trust issues with Congress as they have always supported the BJP.
There is a problem in the genetics of the party leadership. They take benefit of the people’s faith and then help BJP with the MLAs. As of now, we cannot trust Congress for alliance. We will have to see if there are any changes in the future, he said.
Reacting to the statement, Patkar refuted all the charges levelled against him.
I did not get mining ore free of cost, but paid Rs 6 crore to the government, he said.
Patkar said that he procured the ore by following all the procedures of the Mines Department.
I don’t have any good relations or blessings of the CM. Palekar is only misleading the people, he said, adding that he is busy strengthening the party in the state.
