PANAJI — Industrialists, mine owners, and coal mafia are allegedly offering Rs 30 to 40 crore to Congress MLAs to defect, former Congress state chief Girish Chodankar said on Sunday.
Chodankar, who was also present with the nine MLAs whom Congress Goa in charge Dinesh Gundu Rao met in South Goa, said that in present situation, it seems that the ruling BJP is trying to create confusion.
“They are putting pressure on our MLAs, some mine owners are calling them (the MLAs), coal mafia are calling them… They are offering them Rs 30 to 40 crore, our MLAs are not for sale.
“Congress MLAs had pledged before the almighty that they will not defect, they have also signed affidavits. How will they cheat God? They have done it publicly, then how can they shift? Will people keep mum over the issues (if they defect),” Chodankar asked.
He asserted that the Congress MLAs will not come under any pressure.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Sunday claimed that Goa’s ruling BJP was trying for a two-third split of its 11-member legislative party, and offering huge money for the defections.
Congress Goa in charge Dinesh Gundu Rao attacked the BJP for allegedly offering money to its MLAs to split.
“Many of our MLAs were offered a huge amount of money to switch from the party. I can’t express it… I am shocked about the amount of money the BJP offered to them,” he said.
“In spite of offering huge money, six of our MLAs have stood firm. I am proud of them. The BJP was trying for two-third split in the Congress, so a minimum of eight MLAs leave the party,” he said. — IANS
