MARGAO
He further said that he has not indulged in party indiscipline nor violated any party direction, saying that he was not issued any whip by the party leadership.
“Where is the question of withdrawing support to the Parrikar government when I have not violated any direction from the party leadership?” Churchill asked, adding that he has not violated any whip as no whip was issued to him by the party leadership to act in a certain manner during the vote of confidence on Thursday.
Churchill said that he has acted in the interest of the people of Benaulim constituency since he had promised to usher in the development after his election. “I had decided to support the Parrikar government only after my workers told me in clear terms at least on five occasions to support the BJP-led government after the Congress failed to cobble up the required number of 21 MLAs,” he said.
Saying that he has decided to support the BJP-led government only after the Congress failed to form the government, Churchill said he cannot be blamed for supporting the Parrikar-led government when he had gone out of the way to extend support to the Congress in the formation of the government. “I had brought two MLAs and given them to the Congress leadership, but the Congress leaders could not manage one MLA to take the tally of the party to the magic figure of 21,” Churchill said.
Replying to a question, he said he would consult his legal counsel before replying to the show cause notice issued by the NCP leadership.
The NCP had on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Churchill seeking reply from him within seven days on his decision to extend support to the Parrikar-led government during the vote of confidence, terming his decision as an act of indiscipline. The NCP leadership further warned to act against him under the provisions of the Anti-Defection Act if he fails to reply the show cause notice.
