Cong gets a stick to beat BJP with in Goa elections

NEW DELHI: The porn video controversy involving three BJP ministers in Karnataka will reverberate in neighbouring Goa where the Congress is all set to make it a big issue in the coming assembly elections.

The 'porngate' scandal has given the Congress a strong handle to hit the BJP not only in Karnataka but also in Goa, which goes to polls on March 3.

The party is planning a major offensive against the BJP, which had sought to nail the Digambar Kamat government on the illegal mining issue.

"They are talking about illegal mining in Goa. What about Karnataka where a CM had to resign and go to jail on the illegal mining issue? What about this porngate? BJP needs to explain all this...," a Congress functionary said.

In Karnataka, the Congress has already started preparations for the 2013 assembly elections and decided to reach out to the people in all the 224 assembly constituencies. The mass contact programme is being launched in March and will continue for four months in the initial stage.

A red-faced BJP tried to contain the damage by asking Karnataka ministers Laxman Savadi (cooperation), CC Patil (women and child development) and Krishna Palemar (ports, science

They are talking about illegal mining in Goa. What about Karnataka where a CM had to resign and go to jail on illegal mining issue? What about this porngate?

A Congress functionary

and technology) to resign.

While Savadi and Patil were caught on camera watching a porn clip on their mobile phone, Palemar had allegedly provided them with the clip.

But smelling blood, the Congress has demanded that the entire state government resign.

"These ministers have committed a blasphemy by profaning the temple of democracy, the assembly. The BJP government has lost the moral right to continue even for a day. Whatever happened in Karnataka is not a big deal for them. BJP is a corrupt, shameless party. It has disgraced not only Karnataka but the entire country," party general secretary BK Hariprasad said

He said several former ministers are in jail and a large number of BJP MLAS are facing charges of corruption, illegal mining and illegal land deals.

"Four ministers have already lost their posts because of sexscandals," another leader said.