Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Saturday defended the induction of “tainted” Mickky Pacheco of Goa Vikas Party in the BJP-led government saying “people have elected him knowing all the incidents associated with him and cases against him.”
“When people have elected him knowing everything, it is my responsibility to make best use of legislators which people had elected. Moreover, none of these cases against him have happened in the present term,” said Mr. Parsekar when asked after swearing-in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday as to how a person with tainted background could be inducted in his Cabinet.
Earlier, when asked about it in the context of Supreme Court guidelines, Defence Minister and former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, said it is true that the Supreme Court has barred a person who is convicted for more than two years, from being inducted.
“As far as our party is concerned, we have ensured this legal parameter is not violated. If you ask me about moral side of the issue, well, I can speak of morality as far as our party is concerned, I cannot preach it or dictate it to alliance partners,” remarked Mr. Parrikar in a clear indication of political compulsions that led BJP to induct Mr. Pachecho to ensure stability of its local government behind Mr. Parrikar.
On his part, Mr. Pacheco tried to down-play the issue claiming that these were mere allegations.
When asked about a conviction in a case of assault on a government official, Mr. Pacheco said it has been stayed by the Supreme Court. Several criminal cases with charges ranging from forgery, cheating, extortion, assault, abetting a suicide and bigamy had been filed on him.
