For continuation of govt, Vijai puts onus on BJP

Amit Shah spoke to me and firmly said a firm no to mid-term polls. I am making this public for the simple reason that the onus of the continuance of the coalition government, with or without Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister lies with the BJP            - Vijai Sardesai

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MARGAO: On a day when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar returned home from the AIMMS, BJP Chief Amit Shah called up Goa Forward party Supremo Vijai Sardesai and discussed the political situation in the state.
While confirming that Amit Shah spoke over phone to him on Sunday, Sardesai said the onus of the continuance of the coalition government, with or without Manohar Parrikar as the State Chief Minister, lies with the BJP leadership. He said the BJP President had assured me some time back that the BJP is not in favour of mid-term polls, adding that Amit Shah called him up again on Sunday to reassure that the coalition government in Goa should continue for the remaining term.
“Amit Shah spoke to me and firmly said a firm no to mid-term polls. I am making this public for the simple reason that the onus of the continuance of the coalition government, with or without Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister lies with the BJP,” he said.
Though Sardesai did not go into the details of what transpired between him and the BJP president, sources said that Amit Shah called up the key alliance leader ahead of the distribution of portfolios presently held by the ailing Chief Minister. While reassuring Sardesai that the BJP will not go for the mid-term poll, the BJP President is believed to have discussed with Sardesai on the portfolios distributions and the need to keep all the alliance partners together.
That the Goa Forward Chief put the onus on the continuance of the one and half year old coalition government on the BJP leadership assumed significance and comes against the backdrop of Sardesai vehemently opposing the idea of mid-term polls in Goa along with the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
Sardesai told the media at Cuncolim that when the coalition government was formed a year and half ago, it was formed with the sole aim of protecting the culture of secular and tolerant Goa that takes all people along the path of peace, progress and development. “Last one years and half, we have not allowed any injustice on any citizen, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. The government was formed with disparate groups and had brought Manohar Parrikar to Goa from Delhi to ensure the continuance of development with regionalistic aspirations. And, we have fairly succeeded in achieving the objectives set by the government as the time of government formation”, he said.
Asked to comment on the health status of the Chief Minister, who has returned home on Sunday, Sardesai said when he had called on Parrikar at the AIIMS at least on 2-3 occasion, he had found him hale and healthy. “Since the Chief Minister has returned home on Sunday, I will call on him to inquiry into his health,” Sardesai added.
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GF members form
huddle; BJP leader
spotted at meeting!
 

MARGAO: Members of the key alliance partner, Goa Forward party along with Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte went into a huddle at the residence of TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai here on late Sunday evening.
Beside Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte, the meeting was attended by the two Goa Forward Party Minister, RDA Minister Jayesh Salgaokar and WRD Minister Vinod Palienkar.
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gawde, who was earlier a part of the G-6 group, was however, conspicuous by his absence.
Sources did not rule out the possibility of a BJP leader having attended the meeting.
The sudden meeting assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the BJP National president Amit Shah calling up the Goa Forward Supremo ahead of the distribution of portfolios.
While Sardesai confirmed that the meeting of the four Ministers, including Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, took place at his residence, he, however, termed it as a routine meeting.
With sources saying that a BJP leader was also spotted at Sardesai’s residence, speculations were rife whether the meeting took place ahead of the distribution of portfolios held by the Chief Minister.
During the recent meeting in Delhi with the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, it was reportedly decided that Chief Minister Parrikar would shed many a portfolio held by him for distribution to the members of his Cabinet.
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Discussing post-Parrikar scene
is not Goemkarponn: Vijai

MARGAO: Goa Forward Supremo Vijai Sardesai on Sunday has said that the present Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will have to decide on who would be the future Chief Minister of the state, saying the Goa Forward party will cross the bridge on the issue of Chief Minister when it comes.
He made the comments when the media referred to reports that Health Minister Vishwajit Rane may emerge as the probable Chief Ministerial candidate and whether he would support Rane’s candidature.
“On the question of the future Chief Minister, the present chief Minister will have to decide. We are now presently supporting the present Chief Minister and since Parrikar is still at the helm of affairs, it is not fair to comment on his successor,” he said.
“I am not supposed to discuss post-Parrikar scenario when he is still at the helm. This is certainly not Goemkarponn to discuss about Parrikar’s successor when he is still at the helm,” he said.
The TCP Minister further said he is still not aware whether the BJP has any plan B on the leadership issue. He, however, hastened to add that the BJP is not keen on a mid-term poll, while expressing the hope that the assurances given by the BJP leadership that the government will last full time year term is honoured by the national party.