the goan I network
MARGAO
The six member group of ruling coalition MLA, including three Goa Forward Ministers and three Independents, is reported to have successfully blocked attempts made in certain quarters to catapult PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar to a makeshift arrangement in order to hold the reigns of office in the absence of Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar.
TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and the three Independents have conveyed to the BJP observers that they are not in favour of any temporary arrangement, which is a clear indication that they are vehemently opposed to moves to elevate the PWD Minister to a position as part of a make-shift arrangement in place of the ailing Chief Minister, who is undergoing treatment at the AIIMS in New Delhi.
Sources in the know said that for the last two days, the Goa Forward supremo as well as the independents had made it categorically clear to the BJP bosses that Sudin Dhavlikar will not be acceptable to the six MLAs, all supporting the coalition government.
That they have reiterated the same again to the BJP observers, especially sent by the Party bosses in Delhi, have sent clear signals that Sudin will not be acceptable to the Goa Forward and the three Independents, either in a temporary or permanent solution.
Sources in the know said that the BJP observers were taken aback when the Goa Forward Ministers Vijai Sardesai, Jayesh Salgaokar and Vinod Palienkar along with the three Independents Rohan Khaunte, Govind Gawde and Prasad Gaonkar came to meet them in a group as against meeting them individually.
Sources pointed out that by calling on the BJP observers in a group, the Goa Forward and the three independents have sent a message clear to the BJP leaders that they (six) legislators supporting the coalition government are a bloc.
‘The Goan’ understands that two important BJP core committee members including South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and Datta Kholkar had called on the TCP Minister on Saturday evening at his residence apparently to placate him after reports did the rounds in ruling circles that the major alliance partner is not opposed to the PWD Minister playing a role in the Chief Minister’s absence.
