the goan I network
PANAJI
After a two-month wait for Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to resume work in person, the Congress on Friday said that they would move the court if a video showing his present condition was not produced by the BJP.
Addressing media persons at the Congress headquarters, here, Congress spokesperson Jitendra Deshprabhu pointed out that though the BJP kept saying that Parrikar would be back at work “soon”, there was no sign of him.
“They’ve been saying he’ll be back in his office since March. But where is the Chief Minister?” he demanded, saying that either the CM comes before the public, or his ‘Shraadh’ (it is a ritual performed in memory of the dead) should be done.”
Stressing that the Opposition party was ready to go to court if the CM, a constitutional leader, did not appear, either in person or in video, Deshprabhu said that since his doctors weren’t giving the CM’s health status, it was high time the court decided if he was fit and healthy to run the State.
Deshprabhu also opposed the Health Minister’s statement that revealing the CM’s health status was the family’s prerogative saying, “It’s not the place of the family to decide whether the CM is fit to run the State. Let the court tell us that. The family can only decide where he is to be cremated.”
The former legislator from Pernem also alleged that the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the CM was misusing his powers, and clearing files in the CM’s name. “Do the files being passed actually have the CM’s signature or are funds being misappropriated?” he questioned, saying that the BJP would have to prove the authenticity of files being cleared by the CM, who is the head of many state bodies including the ESG and the IPB.
The Congress spokesperson also asked why TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai was making statements regarding mining, and a ban on fish import. “Has the CM given up his mining portfolio?” questioned Deshprabhu. “Besides, Vijai and the FDA do not share the same view on a fish-import ban. Who are we supposed to listen to?” he asked.
When asked about whether he would contest the Mandrem by-poll, Deshprabhu said it was for the party to decide, and that he would go with any decision made. He also added that the party several options.
