the goan I network
MARGAO
Accused in many quarters for signing the no-trust motion against the Laxmikant Parsekar-led BJP government with the coming election in mind, Mickky, however, denied that that he is distancing from the saffron party as it is perceived that his association with it will not go down well with the electorate in Nuvem constituency dominated by minorities.
“I had given enough time for the BJP to take pro-people decisions. I have not suddenly woken up to oppose the government for its anti-people policies. That’s the reason why I have signed on the no-trust motion and not with the intention to distancing myself from the BJP with the coming election in mind,” Mickky told The Goan on Sunday.
Asked to comment on the general perception that he is taking on the BJP government with Assembly elections round the corner and that he does not want his Nuvem electorate to perceive him as a BJP man, Mickky shot back, “One has to keep in mind that the BJP had enough numbers to form the government after the 2012 Assembly election and it had a pre-poll alliance with the MGP. We have offered support to the government based on issues. Since the present government has failed to work in the interest of the common man, I have felt it is time to make our opposition clear.”
When pointed out that his GVP Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva has not signed on the no-confidence motition against the government, Mickky said, “Caitu had been critical of the government during the current session of the Assembly. I had asked him to sign on the no-trust motion. It is now for him to take a call.”
The GVP chief further said that the question of withdrawing support to the BJP-led government does not arise at all since the party had never handed any letter of support to the ruling party when Parsekar took over the reigns of the government. “The GVP had given the letter expressing support to the Manohar Parrikar government. After the change in the Chief Minister, the GVP had never handed any letter in support of the Parsekar government,” he said, while admitting that he was sworn in as a minister in the Parsekar Cabinet without the GVP handing over the letter of support to the new government.
On GVP’s stand on the coming election, Mickky said the GVP is not opposed to enter into an electoral alliance with other parties to keep the BJP at bay. “Let us wait and see. The GVP is open to enter into alliances with other like-minded parties,” he added.
