CM Must Address Corruption Charges from His Cabinet Colleague – Girish Chodankar
Panjim: Girish Chodankar, former president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) and CWC Member, has issued a sharp and urgent demand for Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to publicly address the serious corruption allegations raised by his own cabinet colleague, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude.
Chodankar criticized the Chief Minister’s consistent silence over previous corruption accusations from civil society and opposition leaders, saying that this time, the CM cannot hide as the charges come from within his own government.
“We are witnessing a troubling trend of corruption within the current BJP government, as highlighted by Cabinet Minister Gaude,” Chodankar stated. He stressed that Gaude’s revelations spotlight critical concerns affecting Goa’s ST, SC, and OBC communities, and demand immediate government action.
At the center of the controversy is Gaude’s disclosure that contractors are being coerced into paying bribes for file clearances within the Tribal Welfare Department. This department, notably, functions under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister, raising even graver concerns about accountability at the top levels.
Adding to the turmoil, on Sunday, Minister Gaude launched a scathing attack on the Tribal Welfare Department during the Prerna Din function held at Ponda. The event, organized by the department in collaboration with the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA), saw a disappointing turnout, which seemed to anger the minister.
“A huge amount of taxpayers’ money is allotted to the Tribal Welfare Department. If it’s unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it only shows a lack of control over the administration,” Gaude remarked bluntly at the event, questioning the department’s administrative efficiency and transparency.
Chodankar underscored that these public admissions are deeply damaging and can no longer be brushed aside. “This is no longer just a political issue — it is a matter of justice for marginalized communities and a test of whether our government can truly uphold transparency and integrity,” he said.
Calling for a collective response, Chodankar urged Goans to demand justice and reform: “We must hold our leaders accountable. Our communities deserve governance free from corruption and bias. The time to act is now.”
