ANIL SHANKHWALKAR
PORVORIM
Affirming that he is part of the G-6 group of Goa Forward Party MLAs and independent MLAs, Revenue Minister and Porvorim's Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte sought to downplay the leadership issue by claiming that there were more pressing issues confronting the State.
Speaking to The Goan, Khaunte defended his presence with the three GFP MLAs and two other independent MLAs to meet BJP observers at Panaji on Sunday.
“I am part of the G-6 group and our group had met the BJP observers separately to demand a permanent solution to the present political situation arising out of the illness of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar,” said Khaunte.
“We are partners of the National Democratic Alliance and have supported the coalition government led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The chief minister has not spoken to us yet about his future plans. We will act in the matter once he discloses his future plans to us,” said Khaunte.
“The decision of replacing ailing ministers in the cabinet lies with the chief minister and I cannot comment on this issue,” replied Khaunte, when asked to respond to the concerns over ailing ministers in the cabinet.
When asked if he would support or oppose the elevation of PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar to hold the reigns of CMO in the absence of the ailing chief minister, Khaunte said the issue supporting or opposing Dhavalikar did not arise.
“Neither did the BJP central team discuss this issue with the G-6 group nor did Dhavalikar speak to me in this regard as yet,” said Khaunte.
“I am not aware about such move by the BJP high command. There are more important issues, such as resumption of mining activity and unemployment problem, confronting the State and these pressing issues need to be resolved on priority rather than the leadership issue,” said the minister.
“In any case, Parriker is our leader and we will take a decision only after hearing the views of the chief minister and the BJP high command,” Khaunte added.
To another query on whether he would consider joining the BJP should the need arise, Khaunte replied: “The question of joining BJP does not arise at all as I have been elected as an independent candidate by the people of Porvorim constituency. I will not take any decision without consulting my electorate and I am firm about this.”
