Vasco residents up in arms against ‘extortionist’ Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar

VASCO, GOA: While former MPDA chairman Krishna (Daji) Salkar re-joined the Bharatiya Janata Party recently, which he had deserted years ago in 2017, after failing to get the ticket, residents of Vasco are up in arms against him and do not want the BJP to give him the ticket. Some business men and shopkeepers in the port town are considering filing a police complaint against him for his strong-arm and goonda behavior.

Speaking to this reporter, Srikant Naik a resident of Vasco and small-time businessman, claimed Salkar was extorting money from small businessmen and traders like himself in the area on one pretext or the other. “We will not tolerate goondas in Vasco,” Naik who is a member of Goa People’s Forum said. In spite of several attempts to contact Salkar for his version, he was unavailable for comment.

“Now that he has joined the BJP and is a front-runner for the BJP ticket for the Vasco constituency, his criminal activities will increase manifold,” Naik said, adding that Salkar was forcing local businessmen to financially support his election campaign and extorting money from them.

In April 2017, the Vasco police had arrested Daji ‘Krishna’ Salkar and 18 others, including his wife Shami Salkar, for ‘trespassing’ into the cabin of Mormugao Municipal Council chief officer Deepali Naik and threatening and abusing her.

Former Vasco BJP MLA Carlos Almeida who joined the Congress today, has also accused Salkar of a land scam involving encroachment and misuse of comunidade land.

Businessmen who have been harassed by Salkar, under the banner of the Goa People’s Forum have decided to approach the cops with a written complaint against him. “We have sent a letter to the CM’s office. If the CM does not take action, we will file a police complaint against Salkar,” Naik said, adding that they are writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that Salkar does not get the ticket.