the goan I network
MARGAO
In an interesting development, Independent MLA and Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude on Saturday said though he had given his consent only to Manohar Parrikar for the post of Chief Minister before the formation of the coalition government, he would support
any candidate proposed by the BJP for the post of Chief Minister if there’s any change in the leadership in the future.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the two-day programme Kalpvraksha-2, an all India classical dance conference organised by Shree Damodar Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s Damodar Sangeet Vidyalaya in association with Department of Art and Culture at Shree Damodar Vidyabhuvan hall, Comba-Margao, the Art and Culture Minister conceded that it is a fact that the administration has been hit, with the speed of working of the administration has slowed down in recent months.
He, however, said that the coalition partners had all come together to give good governance for the people of Goa, saying no one had ever thought that the government will face such a situation.
The Independent MLA further said that there’s no need for a change in the Chief Minister with Manohar Parrikar still at the helm. “As long as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is there, I do not think there’s any need for a change in leadership of the coalition,” he added.
Gaude reminded that he and other coalition partners had given their consent for an individual and not for the BJP at the time of making Manohar Parrikar as the State’s Chief Minister.
“We had all given our letter of consent to the individual and not to the party.
This is one reason why we have been saying that the BJP cannot propose any candidate for the CM’s post. But, after taking into account the prevailing situation now, I will be ready to support any candidate proposed by the BJP for the post of Chief Minister,” Gaude added.
When asked to comment on the state of administration, with the government facing criticism over the state of affairs, Gaude said, “There’s truth in what the people speak. Even some of the members of the Cabinet have also spoken about the administration. What they have spoken is what they have heard from the people. I also would like to admit that the speed of working of the administration has slowed down.”
“It is true that administration has been affected. There seemed no coordination and one now needs to call the officers again and again for the work. May be, the subordinate staff is not cooperating with the officers,” he added.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion at the two-day programme Kalpvraksha-2, an all India classical dance conference at the Gomant Vidyabhuvan hall, Comba, the Art and Culture Minister urged the young artists to put their soul to gain knowledge in the field of art and culture. He also reminded the gathering that Goa, though small in size, is now the cultural centre of
the country.
