NCP's Goa unit stands by Pacheco

Former Goa Tourism Minister Mickey Pacheco, who is an accused in a case relating to the death of his close friend Nadia Torrado, on Thursday received support from his Nationalist Congress Party which alleged the case was aimed at finishing him politically.

Former Goa Tourism Minister Mickey Pacheco, who is an accused in a case relating to the death of his close friend Nadia Torrado, on Thursday received support from his Nationalist Congress Party which alleged the case was aimed at finishing him politically.

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"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 said.

He said 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 the police naming Pacheco along with his close aide, Lyndon Monteiro, as an accused in this case.

The party, however, said 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.

The NCP spokesman claimed Pacheco had strengthened his position in South Goa after he held a convention early this year which was attended by party president Sharad Pawar.

Bhonsle said NGOs, which alleged Pacheco's involvement in the crime, also need to be investigated.