In a significant development from Panaji, BJP state president Damodar Naik on Tuesday attempted to downplay a controversial statement made by BJP national president Nitin Nabin regarding the massive Rs 35,000 crore mining scam. Naik characterized Nabin's remarks as nothing more than a "slip of the tongue" during a recent party meeting.
Contradiction Emerges Within BJP Ranks
The political controversy stems from BJP national president Nitin Nabin's address at a karyakarta meeting in Goa on Saturday, where he sounded the poll bugle for the 2027 elections. During his speech, Nabin urged party workers to actively raise the issue of the Rs 35,000 crore mining scam that allegedly occurred during the previous Congress government's tenure.
Awkward Political Alliances Surface
This creates an awkward political situation for the BJP, as Digambar Kamat, who served as the Congress chief minister during the period when the mining scam reportedly occurred, now holds the position of PWD minister in the current BJP-led coalition government. Kamat was present on the same dais during the karyakarta meeting where Nabin made his remarks.
Further complicating matters, most ministers in the current BJP-led coalition government previously served as ministers in Kamat's government between 2007 and 2012, creating a complex web of political relationships and potential conflicts of interest.
Investigation Stalled for Over a Decade
Adding another layer to this political drama is the fact that during the last 13 years of BJP government in Goa, the special investigation team (SIT) tasked with probing the mining cases has failed to bring its investigation to a logical conclusion. This raises questions about the seriousness of the government's commitment to investigating the alleged scam.
State President's Explanation
When questioned about the national president's remarks, Damodar Naik offered an explanation that has raised eyebrows in political circles. "The national president has his own team who gives inputs to prepare his speech," Naik stated. "Sometimes we make mistakes while speaking. A slip of the tongue happens. In this case, it happened."
Naik further elaborated that everyone is aware of the allegations and the figures associated with the mining scam. "These are looked at by different agencies. I am not a part of the government," he clarified, attempting to distance himself from the investigation process.
Party Discipline and Information Flow
The BJP state president emphasized that when he speaks on behalf of the party, he would do so within the limits of the party's official position. When pressed about how what he termed as "misinformation" reached the national president, Naik responded simply, "He is not aware of it."
This incident highlights the internal contradictions within the BJP's political strategy in Goa, where the party is attempting to use the mining scam as an election issue while simultaneously accommodating former Congress leaders who were in power during the alleged scam period. The situation underscores the complex political calculations parties must make in coalition politics, where past adversaries often become present allies.
