New Delhi: With two more senior ministers lying on the hospital beds, other than the chief minister, Manohar Parrikar himself, the ruling BJP is finding it difficult to hold back its government in Goa. Reportedly, Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar and Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza are also being treated of serious ailment since past months.
Therefore, out of 14 MLAs, BJP only can get the support of 11 MLAs during the floor test, other than Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party's 3 MLAs, Goa Forward Party's 3 and 2 Independent MLAs, who supported Parrikar as CM 'unconditionally' in 2017, the BJP Goa unit claimed. So, now allies are the only hope for the saffron party.
To find a solution to fill the power vacuum the top leadership is holding a string of meetings since Sunday to strengthen the state-central co-ordination. A team was also sent to Goa, consisting of Ram Lal, national general secretary (organisation), BL Santosh, and Vijay Puranik. On Wednesday afternoon party national president Amit Shah held a meeting with the three-member observer team - party state president Vinay Tendulkar, central minister Shripad Naik, and South Goa MP Narendra Keshav Sawaikar at the party headquarters here. It is learnt that three names have been submitted to Shah—the speaker of Goa Assembly, Pramod Kamat, central minister Shripad Naik, and senior GFP leader and Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai.
However, during the two-hour long meeting, the party chief suggested to communicate with alliance parties and categorically mentioned that the Chief Minister has to be of BJP, a party source mentioned. "If any allies aspire to project their candidate as the chief ministerial face, then the party has to merge with BJP," a senior BJP leader told the Millennium Post.
On the other hand, Shripad Naik is considered as the frontrunner, but the challenge that he might face is that he has to win an Assembly seat as an MLA first, however, the state unit does not see the option expedient ahead of the general election. "We are in talks with allies and expected to come to a solution by end of this week," the state BJP leader informed.
Sources further said six legislators are Viaji Sardesai, Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar, and Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaokar of the GFP, and Independents comprising two ministers Rohan Khaunte and Govind Gaude are claimed to be in support of BJP. Whereas, a proposal making senior MGP leader and Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar as CM has been opposed by GFP and an Independent MLA, Govind Gawde.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena continuing its allegation, said MGP and GFP - were trying to destabilise the government, as leaders of these parties were vying for the top post in the state. It said the entire Goa cabinet is in the ICU. Goa has become a leaderless state and the administration is not able to function.