the goan I network
MARGAO
Perhaps for the first time since Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was diagnosed for pancreatic cancer, leader of the key alliance partner and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai publicly spoke about the survival of the two-year old coalition government apparently because of the uncertainty caused by the Chief Minister’s health.
Sardesai’s statement assumes significance as it comes just two days after a group of Ministers, MLAs and politicos aligned to the ruling combine, had gone into a huddle at the Panjim residence of the Goa Forward Party Chief to take stock of the political situation arising out of the Chief Minister’s health issues.
With Parrikar’s health issue remaining a big concern, sources said the alliance partners are looking for the BJP leadership to work out an emergency plan to address concerns of the uncertain future.
The TCP Minister was in Raia on Friday evening to attend the Tribal Lok Utsav organized by the Barebhat Social and Cultural Association, wherein he promised the organisers that he would ensure a permanent venue to show case the traditional art and cuisine of the Niz Goemkar if the government survives by then.
Sardesai’s statement comes against the backdrop of reports doing the rounds over decline in Chief Minister’s health condition. And, it is perhaps the first time since the Chief Minister was taken ill around a year ago, the TCP Minister has virtually
conceded that Parrikar’s health is indeed a cause of concern and an uncertain future.
Asked to elaborate on statement favouring a permanent venue to showcase the traditional art, craft and cuisine would depend on the survival of the government, Sardesai later told the media that the Chief Minister’s health is indeed a matter of concern and the survival of the government. “During my address, I stated that the traditional art, culture and cuisine of the Niz Goemkars and Mull Goemkars should not be a one time event, but should be showcased on a permanent basis. I assured the people that I would strive to provide them a permanent venue to showcase their craft and cuisine if the government survives”, he added.
And, he conceded that a group of Ministers and other political leaders had met at his Panjim apartment after the Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister. “The Ministers, MLAs and other leaders had met to take stock of the situation in a future that looked uncertain over the Chief Minister’s health”, he said.
Sources in the know said the meeting of the ministers went through the entire night before it got over only in the wee hours of Thursday, indicating that the members of the alliance partners and MLAs, including a couple of BJP MLAs discussed the current political situation and the uncertain future.
Sources close to this group within the ruling coalition are of the firm opinion that the BJP leadership has been maintaining stoic silence on the issues bothering them, with a senior Minister of the coalition saying the leadership of the major coalition partner should reach out to the partners with alternatives in the emerging scenario.
for the by-election in Shiroda.
The BJP will field Shirodkar making the the by-polls when they are held a familiar but interesting battle between the two arch-rivals from Shiroda. The duo have already fought each other in three consecutive elections -- 2007, 2012 and 2017.
While Mahadev won in 2007 and 2012, Shirodkar, a veteran in the Goa legislative assembly since 1980, made a comeback after a decade in 2017. Only, this time the two will have their party labels inter-changed.
Ruling coalition partner, the MGP too has said it will contest the Shiroda by-poll and is preparing to field party president, Deepak Dhavalikar.
