from daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Aug 21: Throwing a veiled challenge to CBI, Goa's former chief minister Manohar Parrikar has asked the apex investigation agency to complete their investigations into affairs of international film festival of India (IFFI) 2004 as soon as possible and publicise the findings.
During his usual press briefing on Monday afternoon, Parrikar welcomed CBI inquiry into the infrastructure creation for IFFI 2004, which was organized during his tenure.
In the same breath, Parrikar, termed CBI as "tool in the hands of politicians."
"CBI is tool in the hands of politicians. There are so many cases where CBI has fouled," former chief minister said citing alleged instances like Bofors and Lalu Prasad Yadav scam investigations.
"Tell me how many times CBI has completed its investigation and punished guilty," he reacted.
CBI had initiated inquiry into the IFFI 2004 following Congress party's allegations about mass-scale misappropriation into infrastructure building for IFFI 2004. The state government, through a cabinet decision recently, had submitted all files pertaining to the issue to the CBI.
When asked whether BJP has apprehensions that Congress would use CBI findings during ensuing state legislative assembly elections as a card against BJP, Parrikar stated that any such attempts would be nullified. "Let them come with the findings… I wish that they complete the inquiry as soon as possible," Parrikar said.
Meanwhile, Goa Pradesh Youth Congress committee (GPYCC) has demanded that CBI should immediately register FIR in the IFFI 2004 scam.
"Six months have passed and nothing is happening… If CBI fails to register FIR, the youth congress would be forced to protest infront of CBI office in the state," stated GPYCC president Girish Chodankar.