PANAJI: The state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday passed a political resolution demanding resignation of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat by shouldering the responsibility of the multi-crore illegal mining scam in the state.

The resolution was passed during a special emergency meeting presided over by the state president of the BJP, Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, North Goa MP, Mr Shripad Naik, all legislators of the party, members of the state executive of BJP and presidents as well as general secretaries of the party’s electoral constituency-wise blocks.

The resolution proposed by the Fatorda MLA, Mr Damodar Naik stated, "The BJP alleges that the mining scam has flourished under the active patronage and participation of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat and, therefore, demands that he resign immediately owning moral responsibility for the mining mess that has brought shame to Goa and done irreparable damage to state ecology. BJP will petition to constitutional authorities including Governor’s Office, the Comptroller and Auditor General and Chief Vigilance Office for impartial investigations regarding the loss to the state exchequer. The BJP also demands CBI inquiry to unearth the full scam and to fix responsibility against the guilty."

Stating that the Chief Minister is responsible for the illegal mining scam, the resolution maintained that Goa exported approximately 54 million tonnes of ore last year, of which nearly 30 per cent was illegal extraction. "The government records indicate 48 million tonnes excess export figures as compared to local extraction of ore, thus illegal extraction becoming obvious," it observed, mentioning that 48 mines have been extracting ore in violation of permissible environmental clearance limits.

Addressing the special emergency meeting, Mr Parsekar said that the Chief Minister has been continuously the Minister for Mines during the past 12 years, and has never given up the particular portfolio. He also alleged that the Speaker of the state assembly, Mr Pratapsingh Rane has tainted the seat of the Speaker by continuously trying to save the Digambar Kamat-led Congress government through illegal means.

Speaking further, the state BJP chief said that the report of the Public Accounts Committee was unjustly not allowed to be tabled by the Speaker.

"The PAC met on 28 occasions and those members of the committee who remained absent for 27 of these meetings, ironically refused to sign the report," he added, pointing out that the Speaker also brushed off his responsibility by supporting the government, and thus indirectly backing illegal mining.

Mr Parsekar also condemned the statement of the Health Minister in the House that he has successfully poached 2 BJP MLAs and would take away two more BJP’s legislators. "The winds of political change are blowing over Goa and all the money of the Health Minister will not be able to stop the political transition," he stressed, warning the Health Minister to mend his ways.