the goan I network
PANAJI
The rumblings over the last few days in the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) metamorphosed into a split and simultaneous ‘merger’ of two of its three MLAs - Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar and Dipak Pauskar - into the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The 2 am development led to the unceremonious exit by noon of its third MLA, Deputy Chief Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavlikar, from the week-old Pramod Sawant-led cabinet which had acrimoniously been sworn in a few minutes before 2 am on Tuesday last, following the demise of Manohar Parrikar.
Wednesday’s development raised the legislative assembly strength of the BJP from 12 to 14, tied with that of the Opposition Congress which also has 14 MLAs in the House whose current strength stands at 36.
Deputy Chief Minsiter Vijai Sardesai led Goa Forward Party (GFP) with three MLAs is the BJP’s only other ally and it also enjoys the support of three independent legislators.
Ajgaonkar and Pauskar knocked the doors of acting Speaker Michael Lobo’s chamber at around 1.30 am on Wednesday and handed over a letter articulating their desire to “merge” with the BJP. They were accompanied by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP state unit president Vinay Tendulkar. “We, Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak
Prabhu Pauskar have agreed to merge with the Bharatiya Janata Party. In view of sub-clause (2) of clause 4 of the Tenth Schedule, and in view of the fact that we constitute 2/3rds of the members of the
legislative party, such merger shall be deemed to have taken place,” the letter addressed to Lobo and signed by both the legislators said.
Lobo accepted their contention and later issued an order formalising the merger.
Later, speaking to the media, both Ajgaonkar and Pauskar accused Dhavlikar of not taking them into confidence in the party’s decision making.
“Neither of us were ever invited to attend the party’s Central Committee meetings in the last two years,” Pauskar said.
The Sanvordem legislator, who was slated to be sworn in as minister in a ceremony fixed for little before midnight also said, that both he and Ajgaonkar were elected from constituencies earlier held by the BJP.
“We won on our own strength,” Pauskar said, adding that peculiar circumstances prevailing at thetime of the elections was the reason why they had to fight on the MGP ticket.
Ajgaonkar on the other hand alleged that attempts were being made to destabilize the Sawant government and explore an alternate dispensation with the Congress.
“Right from the beginning I am on record that I am not in favour of dislodging the BJP government,” Ajgaonkar told the media.
Meanwhile, the virtual parting of ways between the BJP and the MGP will inevitably cast its shadow on the upcoming Lok Sabha and three Assembly by-polls with the MGP now expected to field candidates for all the contests.
