The Goa unit of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today stood by its legislator, Fransisco Mickey Pacheco, terming the entire case against him as an attempt to tarnish his image.
"They are trying to finish Mickey (Fransisco Pacheco) as politically he is going strong in South Goa. This is an attempt to finish Pacheco and NCP," party’s Goa spokesman Avinash Bhonsle told PTI.
He said that the party would hear Pacheco before deciding anything in this matter.
Former Tourism Minister has run into trouble over the death of his 28-year-old friend with Crime Branch naming Pacheco along with his close aide, Lyndon Monteiro, as an accused in this case.
The party, however, has said that Pacheco should not run away from the law.
"Of course, Pacheco cannot run away from investigation. He has to appear before the investigating authorities," Bhonsle said, adding the legislator was exploring all the legal means to secure his liberty.
NCP spokesman said that Pacheco had strengthened his position in South Goa after he held a massive convention early this year which was attended by party president Sharad Pawar.
Bhonsle said that NGOs, which raised doubts against Pacheco, alleging his involvement in the crime, also needs to be investigated.
NCP Goa unit acting president Carmo Pegado said that Pacheco resigned from the ministerial post on moral grounds.
"He is not proven guilty and hence there is no issue of expelling him from the party," Pegado said responding to a question.
Pacheco, three times legislator from Benaulim constituency, was strong contender for NCP Goa chief’s post.
Sharad Pawar-led party has been scouting for a new chief after Dr Wilfred D’Souza quit the party en mass.
