Panaji: To make stronger inroads into the ST vote bank in Sanguem, Congress on Monday welcomed former director of accounts Satyavan Talwadkar into its fold.Talwadkar, who hails from Sanguem’s ST community, is an executive member of United Tribals Associations Alliance, and the Congress hopes to win over ST voters.“This govt does not want to give the Bahujan Samaj any rights, and Satyavan Talwadkar is a prime example. When he, as an ST leader, was due for promotion, govt gave the incumbent officer an extension and stalled his promotion. And Talwadkar had to go to the court to ensure his appointment as the director of accounts,” said state Congress president Girish Chodankar.Talwadkar has worked in several departments while on deputation, and his rapport with former and serving govt officers may also come in handy for the party. Talwadkar has made it clear that he is keen to contest the elections, but he has also said that a united front is necessary to defeat BJP.“Right now talks about an alliance are going on, and till the talks are finalised, nobody can be assured of a ticket. But I have joined with the hope (of contesting elections), so let us see how things pan out. In a one-to-one fight, Congress will win,” said Talwadkar.Chodankar also alleged that contractors’ bills are delayed or blocked till a commission is paid. “For third-party payments from the accounts department to contractors, 2.5% needs to be paid to the chief minister before the accounts department releases funds. Goa’s CM must clarify who gets this 2.5% cut. Bills remain pending till the 2.5% is paid. This sounds like corruption, and no other CM has done this,” said Chodankar.
