Probe corruption cases against Congress ministers: Munde

Panaji, May 28 (UNI) BJP national general secretary Gopinath Munde today said if his party was voted to power in the June 2 Goa Assembly elections, it would start probing cased of corruption against ministers in the present Congress government.

''The CID will investigate all complaints of corruption against the present government. Strict action would be taken against the guilty,'' he told a press conference here.

Describing the Pratapsinh Rane-led Congress government as the ''most inefficient, corrupt and non-performing regime, ''Mr Munde said people of Goa wanted a change.

Noting all incumbent governments in recent assembly elections like Punjab, Uttarakhand, UP and municipal corportion in Delhi have been voted out of power, he expressed confidence that the trend will replicated in Goa as well.

Speaking about the contentious issue of the Regional Plan 2011, which was shelved after widespread protest, the BJP leader said people of the state were concerned and alert to the happenings around them, including the issue of environment and the natural beauty of the tiny coastal tourist paradise.

''If the Congress wins the election, it will not hestitate in reviving the Regional Plan. BJP will take into confidence all NGOs, citizens' groups and the people of the state before deciding any development plan for the state,'' he added.

Mr Munde exuded confidence that his party would win a clear majority and will be able to form government on its own.

Coming down heavily on Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane who is looking after the Congress campaign in Goa, he said the Congress has entrusted its campaign to the wrong hands.

''Mr Rane's downslide has begun. It was evident in the Ramtek Lok Sabha by-elections in Maharashtra recently. Alternative to Pratapsinh Rane in Goa is not Narayan Rane, but Manohar Parrikar,'' he said.

Replying to questions, Mr Munde said late Pramod Mahajan was being sorely missed in this elections.

''Mahajan was the architect of Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra. Similarly, he stiched up the BJP alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) here and made inroads in Goa, in which BJP won four seats. More than 100 BJP workers from Maharashtra are working overtime to help their Goa counterparts to win the elections,'' he said.

''UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during her election rally in Goa said BJP divides communities. But, during the Manohar Parrikar government's rule, peace and harmony prevailed in the state. It was only during the present government's tenure there were riots in Margao and Curchorem,'' Mr Munde alleged.

Speaking about the protests for higher price for sugarcane in Maharashtra, he said he did not want to pay heed to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's personal comments.

''They are baseless. Instead, I want to focus on the main issue and our agitation will be strengthened in the days to come till the government accepts our demand. As much as 800 lakh metric tonne of sugarcane remains to be crushed. We are demanding Rs 40,000 per hectare as financial assistance,'' he added.

UNI