Goa tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco has denied charges of bigamy against him stating that they were baseless.

"I have only one wife with whom my relations are strained due to which I am facing all these allegations," Pacheco said.

Pacheco has been in the news for a bigamy suit filed against him by his wife recently and his reported statement that he could have "as many women in his life as he wanted".

"I was misunderstood. When I said that I can have as many women as I want, I meant that I can have as many women friends as possible. In public life we meet all kinds of people whom we can befriend. I do not distinguish between male and female friends as long as they are genuine," the minister said.

His wife Sara, had, in 2005,filed a written complaint against him alleging bigamy. Copies of the complaint were sent to the state chief minister, governor and even the prime minister and president.

Sara has now filed a bigamy suit against him and has gone public with allegations stating that Pacheco is living with a lady called Viola and has three children with her.

"Viola is my friend and she has stood with me in troubled times," he said.

On the issue of the children, Pacheco said that it was a completely a personal matter which he did not wish to debate in public.

"Police had investigated the complaint then (in 2005) and closed the matter. I don't know why suddenly the issue has cropped up again," he said.

The minister alleged that his cabinet colleague, Churchill Alemao, was avenging a disqualification petition filed against him by Pacheco.

"My relationship with Sara strained at the fag end of 2003. Almost after five years, she has surfaced with allegations of bigamy," he said.

"It is a family matter which is being unnecessarily debated in the media and public at the behest of my political opponents who have misguided Sara," Pacheco alleged.

The minister who had refused to comment on the issue in the past had addressed a press conference last week.

"As a leader representing a national party, I am aware of my social responsibilities and hence had kept quiet all this while. I do not intend going to the press over it again," the NCP leader said.

"Constant criticism forced me to address a press conference clarifying my position as people were made to believe that despite being a lawmaker, I am a law breaker and so I should not continue as minister," Pacheco said.

The state tourism minister said he was ready to face any inquiry and had never tried to interfere in police affairs.

"I want that the police inquire the suit filed by Sara from a neutral viewpoint. I have full faith in Indian laws and am sure that I will come out clean," he said.

Source : Central