PANAJI
The scene to resolve the chaotic political situation within the ruling BJP-led coalition shifted to Delhi on Monday as the saffron party’s team of central observers led by its general secretary Ram Lal wound up its mission to explore options for an alternate leadership in the wake of ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s frequent absenteeism.
Lal who briefly spoke with waiting media persons while leaving the BJP state headquarters for the airport said whatever decision is needed will now be taken in Delhi after they submit their report to Shah and the latter holds discussion with Parrikar who is admitted at AIIMS in the national capital.
Lal and his co-observers -- B L Santhosh and Goa in-charge Vijay Puranik -- had arrived on Sunday and met MLAs of the BJP, the two alliance partners - Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party - besides the three Independents who form part of the ruling coalition.
On Monday morning, they met with the local BJP core team and also held a meeting with all former BJP MLAs and Ministers.
Lal said, they discussed issues pertaining to the party organisation and future programmes.”The political situation has also been discussed,” Lal told journalists, adding that the alliance partners and the supporting Independent MLAs have said that the government needs to continue and that they are fully with the BJP.
On the question of whether the alliance partners want to merge with the BJP, Lal said it is for them to think.
“As of now there is no proposal. If they want to merge, it is for them to give a proposal for merger,” Lal said.
On the question about the stability of the coalition government amidst the long and frequent spells of absence of the Chief Minister, Lal said they have full majority and the government is strong.
“Nothing is going to happen. The Government is strong and has a full majority. What is going to happen?,” Lal said. All BJP MLAs and the three MGP legislators have backed continuation of Parrikar as chief minister. The MGP, however, added the rider that to ensure effective governance and administration, temporary charge of the CMO or a Deputy Chief Minister designation should be handed to its leader Sudin Dhavalikar.
Asked if they (observers) had come up with any ‘permanent solution’ to Parrikar’s frequent absence affecting governance and the cohesiveness of the ruling coalition, Lal shot back: “It is not for me to decide.”
He said, whatever has been said to them by those whom they have met since Sunday will be placed before Shah and necessary decisions will be taken in Delhi by him in consultation with Parrikar.
“The government has to function. It will work even better. Goa’s development is on our minds. There are no problems between the government and the allies,” he added.
The other coalition partner, the 3-MLAs-strong Goa Forward Party led by TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai, teamed up with the three Independents - Cabinet Ministers Rohan Khaunte and Govind Gaude - and Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar, to shoot down the MGP proposal to elevate Sudin.
