PANJIM: It was a day of parleys and hectic politicking. And in the best traditions of the Congress Chief Minister selection negotiations of yesteryears, the Bharatiya Janata Party too saw a mini rebellion as leaders, including a Union minister, threw their hats into the ring and staked claim for the soon-to-be-vacant Chief Minister’s post.
When news of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s elevation first broke, the names that did the rounds were of Speaker Rajendra Arlekar and Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, with Arlekar having the edge. However, sources say that after indications from the high command, as well as local organizing secretary Satish Dhond, given that Arlekar is embroiled in a court case regarding disproportionate assets, Parsekar took the lead and soon moved ahead as the clear winner in the race.
The other contenders, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza and Union Tourism minister Shripad Naik, though being senior politicians, were sidelined. While Naik who met the BJP president Amit Shah has been told to back off, D’ Souza is still refusing to move out of the race.
The three contenders for CM’s race – D’Souza, Arlekar and Parsekar – met with Parrikar at the CM’s official residence at Altinho, from 9.30 pm to 10.30 pm on Friday.
Arlekar and Parsekar emerged from the meeting smiling and left together in the same car.
D’Souza, however, said he would meet central party observers on Saturday morning.
“I will meet them. There is no consensus on the CM’s post yet,” he said, saying that he was firm on his earlier statement about staying out of the cabinet if he is denied the CM’s position.
Ultimately, the way this has been handled till date shows that the plans, as far as selection is concerned, are fixed and it is the high command that decides what is good for the states.
It has happened in neighbouring Maharashtra and now in Goa.
