Casino sponsored foreign junket to BJP leaders: Cong

PTI, PANAJI | 13 March 2015 22:21 IST

Seeking to turn the tables on the Goa government over ban on offshore casinos in the state, Congress today alleged that some BJP legislators went on a foreign trip sponsored by a renowned casino operator.

"One of the casino operators had sponsored the Dubai trip of several BJP legislators, including ministers in the first week of November 2013. The junket was facilitated to ensure that these legislators change their minds about banning offshore casinos," Goa Congress unit spokesman Durgadas Kamat told reporters here today. 

Kamat said his party has demanded an inquiry into the junket that had "ulterior" motives. 

To substantiate his allegations, the Congress leader posted pictures of BJP leaders on their foreign trip on twitter, purportedly showing Goa industries minister Mahadev Naik, state Assembly's Deputy Speaker Anant Shet, fisheries minister Avertano Furtado and MLAs Micheal Lobo, Glenn Ticlo and Benjamin Silva. 

When contacted for their reaction, the ministers and MLAs did not respond. However, Goa BJP unit president Vinay Tendulkar denied the allegation that the trip was paid by a casino operator. 


"They might have gone on their own. They can afford foreign trips," he said. 

Tendulkar also said that no inquiry will be conducted into the allegations by the Congress. 

The allegation comes in the backdrop of a recent statement by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar that "it is not difficult to shut the offshore casino industry as it will send wrong signal to the investors." 

Goa has five offshore casino vessels operating at Mandovi river in Panaji. 

The BJP has been opposing the offshore casinos in the state and before the 2012 state elections had even promised to shift them out of Mandovi once it was voted to power. 


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A friend of mine in the publication business approached some BJP MLAs and Ministers for an advertisement in his publication. Every one of them directed him to approach Casinos. They promised that with their recommendation it would be easily possible to get an ad.

Achhe Din for Casinos in Goa.

I wonder what happened to Bhai Parrikar's ' Mashal' Morcha against Casinos when he was in the opposition.

People rejected Congress because it was corrupt. BJP turned out to be super corrupt.

- Ghanashyam Naik, Bastora | 19 th March 2015 17:22

 

Entire Goa knows that some BJP ministers and MLAs, including the paragon of virtue and self proclaimed clean leader Bhai Parrikar are no doubt the biggest beneficiares of the mercy of Casinos. Gambling is an ancient Indian sport and while Pandavas had put Droupadi on the stake, BJP in Goa has put Goa on the stake.

- Gajendra Tari, Ponda | 17 th March 2015 08:28

 

Real politicians get chance to see the ball being kicked on stadium but juvenile and amateurish politicians get kicked out. This is different football.

- Madhav Bastodker, Ponda | 15 th March 2015 06:43

 

Banning Beef will not send wrong signal for the Western Tourists? Ghar Wapsi and Love Jihad will not send wrong signal for the European Tourists? Only banning Casinos will send wrong signal for the Tourists! BJP is a Feku Party!

- Mathew Dias, Goa | 14 th March 2015 19:31

 

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