After Carlos, demand for cabinet berth to Milind
the goan I network
VASCO
Days after supporters demanded a berth for their Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, it was now the turn of supporters of Mormugao MLA Milind Naik to make a similar request.
While the previous BJP-led government had two ministers from Mormugao in the cabinet, BJP supporters are getting anxious as the present cabinet is yet to allot a berth to a legislator from Mormugao taluka, the centre of industrial, port and defence installations.
The Mormugao BJP Block wants their three-time winning BJP candidate Milind Naik to be given a ministry during the next expansion.
“All four BJP candidates from Mormugao taluka won the election and ended Congress rule in the taluka. Not only has Naik made a hat-trick, but he is also a senior member of the party to get elected thrice from the same constituency. I feel Parrikar should allot a ministry to Naik to represent Mormugao taluka,” said Mormugao BJP Block president Sanjay Satardekar.
“Naik has taken up a lot of development works and some are in progress. He should be inducted into the ministry to complete all pending development works, otherwise the works will be hampered,” added Satardekar.
When asked if the BJP Block members from Mormugao would lead a delegation or request Parrikar to induct Naik into the ministry, Saterdekar replied: “We will not try and influence Parrikar to give a ministry to Naik, but we will allow the chief minister to take the right decision.”
Speaking to The Goan, Mormugao Municipal Council Vice Chairperson and block member Sashikant Parab also felt that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should allot one of two cabinet berths to Naik.
“We toiled hard to win the assembly election and keep the BJP flag flying high and Parrikar should reward us by inducting Naik as minister,” said Parab.
Another Mormugao councillor and block member, Damodar Kaskar, said the people of Mormugao elected Naik for a third successive term as he has performed as MLA and minister.
“Naik should be inducted into the ministry to live up to the expectations of the people,” said Kaskar.
Asked if the block members would be dejected if Naik were denied a ministry, Kaskar replied in the negative.
“There will be no disappointment among the members, but we will work hard to accomplish the pending development works,” he said.
