It is very disgraceful that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has decided to handsomely reward Panaji MLA and chronic party hopper Babush Monseratte by re-appointing him as the Chairman of the very lucrative Greater Panjim Planning and Development Authority (GPPDA) for joining the BJP.
In May this year the very same Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the campaign for the Panaji Assembly Constituency by-election had publicly stated that in view of Babush Monseratte’s serious criminal antecedents it was wrong for the then Town & Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai to have appointed Babush Monseratte as the Chairman of the GPPDA. So what has changed now, Mr. Chief Minister? Does joining the BJP cleanse you of all your sins?
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had also while raking up Babush Monseratte’s criminal antecedents accused him of being a ‘rapist’ and that the women of Panaji would not be safe if he was elected as MLA. Hope Pramod Sawant is feeling safe now.
The Supreme Court has rightly ruled that charge sheeted politicians should not be inducted in government positions. Babush Monseratte has serious criminal cases pending against him including that of rape and stoning the Panaji Police Station.
May sense and prudence prevail in Babush Monseratte not to crave for any public position till he is cleared of all criminal cases. There is need of probity in public life and this awful turbidity on the political arena needs to be seriously and firmly dealt with. 