PANAJI
The eight Congress legislators, who defected to BJP in a possible bid to get cabinet berths or appointments on Boards/Corporations, might have to wait longer as the government is still not decisive about their elevation.
Party sources claimed that the defected legislators will have to prove their loyalty even as rumours are rife about displeasure among some of them owing to the considerable delay in the cabinet reshuffle.
“There is no need for cabinet reshuffle as of now. The present functioning is smooth and we need not disturb the current setting. The defected MLAs have to show their dedication towards the party and their people,” a senior party leader said after attending the Party’s Core Committee meeting at its headquarters in Panaji on Tuesday.
Sources further claimed that the meeting chaired by Goa Desk In-Charge C T Ravi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant witnessed some group leaders opposing reallocation of portfolios. “There was strong opposition to the entry and re-entry of some Congress MLAs but we had to go ahead with it, but we cannot keep upsetting our leaders and karyakartas. Let the time tell if the recent entrants into the party deserve portfolios,” the source revealed.
It is reliably learnt that some leaders, who are in close contact with the Central leadership have conveyed their discontent over the prolonged delay in the cabinet reshuffle.
Ravi has however refuted rumours about discontent amongst any of the eight MLAs while blaming a section of media for “spreading rumours as it requires masala.”
“Decision on cabinet reshuffling is not my job. It is the discretion of the CM. I don’t know whether there was any understanding or demand to accommodate these MLAs into the State-cabinet. I only know that they are content with joining the BJP,” he said replying to media questions.
Ravi was quick to add that a section of the media requires masala for their news because of which they are creating speculations that the eight ex-Congress MLAs are unhappy in BJP. “Who said these MLAs are unhappy? They didn’t tell me. You (media) are twisting things to get masala…” he shot back to a question by a video journalist.
All the eight MLAs will be given responsibility in the organisation, the Goa Desk In-Charge said, adding that BJP works for the happiness of the people and not of any individuals.
CM Sawant, on the other hand, dodged media questions on the issue claiming the meeting was to discuss strategy for upcoming Lok Sabha polls and enhance the working of the organisation.
