Shah steps in to keep Goa flock together

Panaji: BJP chief Amit Shah has stepped in to counter a challenge from the Congress in Goa where the saffron party's allies have been getting restless since Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar left for Delhi for treatment.

Meanwhile, Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai said on Tuesday that BJP president Amit Shah had called him to discuss the political situation in Goa and to "ensure stability".

With Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, opposition Congress has said it is going to seek dismissal of the BJP-led government.

GFP, which has three MLAs, is an ally of the BJP.

"Shah informed me about (scheduled) visit of BJP observers. He spoke about how important allies are in the government and their role in ensuring stability," the GFP chief said.

He claimed that Shah's call followed after Sardesai demanded that there has to be a permanent solution if the BJP was thinking about a leadership change in Goa in view of Parrikar's illness.

"I had publicly expressed opposition to ad hoc arrangements," Sardesai added.

The GFP leader said he conveyed the same to BJP observers B L Santhosh, Ram Lal and Vijay Puranik who visited the coastal state last weekend.

His party is now waiting for the BJP's decision on the current political situation, he said.

Parrikar, 62, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, is currently admitted in the AIIMS in New Delhi for treatment.

The BJP has 14 MLAs in the House of 40. The BJP, its allies and Independents have a strength of 24, while opposition Congress has 16 MLAs. The Congress submitted a memorandum to the Governor, urging her not to dissolve the Assembly and instead invite the party to form the government, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said.

With PTI inputs