Amidst the political uproar over a massive cash-for-jobs scam, Goa Pradesh Youth Congress President and Panaji Councillor Joel Andrade, on Friday levelled serious allegations against the BJP, accusing its ministers and office-bearers of orchestrating a scheme to sell government jobs to the highest bidder.
“This scandal has shaken the trust of Goans. We have witnessed complaints, FIRs, and even arrests, all pointing towards a disturbing pattern of corruption and the involvement of those who serve the BJP. A BJP Mahila in-charge, who works directly under the Chief Minister’s wife, Sulaksha Sawant, in the BJP Mahila Morcha, and a senior BJP office-bearer are among those arrested,” Andrade, who was flanked by the State Vice President Kenishia Menezes, said.
The allegations aren’t new. In December 2021, Andrade had raised red flags about irregularities in the Public Works Department (PWD) recruitment process and demanded a high court-monitored investigation.
Insiders Blow the Whistle
What makes this scandal particularly damning are the statements from within the BJP’s own ranks. “Babush Monserrate, a sitting BJP minister, alleged that jobs in the PWD department were being sold for ₹25-30 lakh each. He further revealed that candidates were instructed to leave answer sheets blank during exams, only to be failed despite complying. Babush has stated that he possesses proof of money changing hands and even identified the location of the transactions in Dona Paula,” Andrade added before playing a video clip of Monserrate’s statements.
A Call for Accountability
Andrade demanded that a judicial commission be immediately formed under a retired High Court Judge to investigate the scam, the government scrap all ongoing recruitment processes, and future recruitment under this government be done under the supervision of the honourable High Court.
Questions have also been raised about the integrity of candidates selected under Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant’s administration. “Are we to assume that these individuals either paid their way into these jobs or secured them through political favours?” Andrade asked. “If true, this undermines the credibility of our institutions and compromises the integrity of public service.”
Impact on Deserving Candidates
The scandal has left deserving candidates in the lurch, their dreams crushed under the weight of systemic corruption. “These individuals, who relied solely on merit, have been denied opportunities by a system that rewards bribes and nepotism. What message does this send to the youth of Goa?”
Political Fallout
As the opposition intensifies its demand for accountability, the BJP government finds itself on the back foot. The opposition has vowed to ensure that the guilty are brought to justice while warning against any attempts to use the scandal for settling personal or political scores.
“The scale of this scam is massive and unprecedented in Goa. This government, under Dr. Pramod Sawant, has lost the moral right to rule,” Andrade went on to say.
With growing public anger and mounting pressure for answers, Goa finds itself at a crossroads. “Will the government address these allegations with transparency, or will this be another chapter in the state’s long struggle against corruption? Only time will tell.”