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Goa political situation: BJP's allies want solution

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Press Trust of India Panaji

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGF) and Goa Forward Party (GFP), allies of the ruling BJP in Goa, on Monday said they were awaiting a solution to the political situation arising out of the indisposition of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

MGP chief Deepak Dhavalikar said a "common solution", in sync with "what the allies have been requesting", should come from the BJP as it was the single largest party in ruling alliance.

GFP president Vijai Sardesai also said that his party was waiting for a solution, which is permanent rather than "ad hoc".

"We are waiting for the future course of action as now all the pros and cons of the situation are known well to the BJP national leadership," Sardesai, who is also state Agriculture Minister, said.

 

He appreciated BJP national president Amit Shah for promptly deputing central observers to listen to allies in connection with the political situation.

Parrikar is currently recuperating in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and three observers from the BJP were in the coastal state to take stock of the political situation in view of his indisposition.

The three central observers of the BJP -- Ram Lal, B L Santhosh and Vinay Puranik -- left for Delhi Monday after holding several rounds of talks in the coastal state with partymen and alliance partners.

They will submit a report on the political scene in Goa to Shah, party functionaries said.

Sardesai said his party was with Parrikar and "we are not talking to anyone, neither is anybody talking to us".

Speaking to PTI, Sardesai said, "We appreciate swift action of BJP national president to depute senior leaders to hear us in Goa. This reflects the concern that he has for a small state like Goa, which is deserving and appreciated."

He added that his party, as well as Independents supporting the ruling alliance, had told the BJP emissaries that the solution offered should be a permanent one and not something on an "ad hoc" basis.

Dhavalikar said, "This is a coalition government but the decision (on governance in the absence of Parrikar) has to be taken by the BJP since it is the largest party in the state government. We are waiting for a common solution on the current situation, which the BJP will give us."

He said his party had not given any specific proposal (to the BJP) on a change of leadership.

"Yes we have told them (BJP) if they are considering it (change in leadership), then the charge should be given to the seniormost minister. Our demand continues to stand," Dhavalikar said.

Dhavalikar, speaking to reporters Saturday, had said, "It is high time Parrikar hands over the charge to the seniormost minister for smooth functioning of the government."

His elder brother, Sudin Dhavalikar, who is the state's Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, is the seniormost member in the Parrikar-led Cabinet.

The MGP's demand had, however, met with resistance from other allies including the Goa Forward Party.

"What can I comment on MGP's statement? Everything that MGP wants need not happen. In an alliance, decisions are taken collectively. It cannot be the demand of a single party," Sardesai had said on Saturday.

The Congress on Monday afternoon submitted a memorandum to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, staking claim to form an alternate government in the state in view of the absence of the chief minister.

The Congress, with 16 MLAS, claimed that it had the numbers in the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly to form the government.

The BJP has 14 seats in the Assembly, its allies Goa Forward Party and MGP have three each. Three Independents and an MLA from Nationalist Congress Party also support the BJP.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

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First Published: Sep 17 2018 | 9:00 PM IST

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