the goan I network
PANAJI
Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah on Thursday discussed Goa’s political leadership conundrum with leaders of the alliance partners -- Cabinet Ministers Ramkrishna Dhavalikar and Vijai Sardesai -- but indications are that the saffron party is buying time to effect a change and replace the critically ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Shah met with Dhavalikar and Sardesai separately in Delhi on Thursday morning and exchanged views on the political situation as well as leadership change options to offset the adverse image of the government in the wake of Parrikar’s prolonged illness and absence from office.
Both Dhavalikar and Sardesai, who had gone to Delhi on Wednesday but had to stay on as Shah deferred their meetings because of pre-occupation in the poll bound States, returned to Goa by Thursday afternoon.
After his meetings with the alliance partners, Shah also held discussions with Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Speaker Pramod Sawant and some other Goa BJP leaders.
Although there is no clarity on whether Shah has made up his mind on the leadership issue, it is more than clear that the saffron party is decisive on drawing the curtains on the Parrikar era in Goan politics. The effect of Parrikar’s long absences from the State and office since February due to his illness has virtually paralyzed the administration and coalition government he leads. The situation was beginning to perceptively hurt the saffron party politically, with the Congress consistently criticizing the non-governance.
Sardesai, who was among the first coalition leaders to strongly oppose even discussing an alternative leadership to Parrikar after the latter was air-lifted to AIIMS and Shah sent emissaries to Goa, said admitted that the leadership is under serious consideration now.
Talks centered around ‘collective leadership’: Vijai
the goan I network
MARGAO
Goa Forward chief and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai has confirmed that the BP leadership at the highest level is seriously discussing the leadership issue in Goa, saying a collective leadership was manifest during discussions with BJP President Amit Shah in the national capital on Thursday.
He, however, hastened to add that discussions remained inconclusive and that the consultative process will continue in future. He also clarified that nobody is asking Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to step down, adding that the BJP leadership has only deliberated on a post-Parrikar scenario.
Stating that though names of Pramod Sawant, Vinay Tendulkar and Vishwajit Rane figured during discussions, he made it clear that talks were only subjective in nature, centered around the fact as to who could fit in Parrikar’s shoes given his stature in politics, besides seniority.
Speaking to the media after returning from Delhi, Sardesai said BJP leadership has set in motion discussion vis-Ã -vis the Chief Minister at the highest level. And, he asserted that BJP leadership has assured allies that the respect and dignity with which the allies were treated by Parrikar would continue. “I spoke to Amit Shah on the aspirations of the people of Goa and the political stability that people are looking forward to”, he added.
To a query, the Goa Forward chief said though the allies were supposed to discuss distribution of portfolios, it has now transpired that the BJP leadership is interested in discussing the entire leadership issue afresh and a new Chief Minister for Goa. “In these circumstances, discussions on portfolio distribution have taken a back seat”, he added.
He said the meeting also focused on whether there was any leader like that of Parrikar who would be acceptable to the allies. “I think a collective leadership concept was manifest during the meeting. Since the meeting is inconclusive, I don’t want to discuss on this. Things will get clear in future”, he added.
When asked whether who amongst the BJP leaders -- Vishwajit, Pramod & Vinay -- were acceptable to the Goa Forward as a probable Chief Ministerial candidate, Sardesai said the discussions have not been objective, but were subjective in nature such as who will fill into Parrikar’s shoes given his stature and seniority. “One has to keep in mind that coalition partners had supported one individual and how we will factor this to
