Goa polls: CM Digambar Kamat hits out at BJP over illegal mining issue

PANAJI: Hitting out at BJP over the illegal mining issue in the state, Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat today sought to know why the saffron party has given tickets to five persons from the mining industry for the upcoming assembly polls.

"They are accusing me of illegal mining. But the BJP has given tickets to five people from the mining industry," Kamat said, addressing a public rally at Fatorda in the presence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Kamat has been accused of harbouring huge illegal mining scam, which is estimated to be between Rs 1,200 crore and Rs 10,000 crore. Justice M B Shah Commission, appointed by the Centre, is inquiring into the scam.

The chief minister said that BJP, which claims itself to be a party with a difference, has shown its "real colours" in the neighbouring Karnataka, when three of its ministers were caught watching porn clip in the assembly.

"That party's (former) president was caught while accepting bribe. How can they brag to be against corruption?," he asked.

The public meeting at Fatorda was attended by over 30,000 people.

This was one of the main election rallies organised by Congress, which is contesting March 3 polls, in alliance with NCP.