Pawar wants him back, but favours status quo
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 23
Contrary to statements made by Mickky Pacheco on his induction into the Cabinet, top sources in Delhi have told Herald that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) does not want to disturb the present set-up.
Sources in the party at Delhi informed Herald that NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar wants Pacheco back in the ministry but not at a huge cost.
“Pawar wants to undo the wrong done to him last year when he was caught in a controversy,” sources close to the Union agriculture minister said in a telephonic conversation.
They further added, “However, Pawar does not want Mickky’s induction at a cost which could wipe off his party in Goa.”
“The NCP understands that withdrawing support and expelling the two ministers – Jose Philip and Nilkanth Halarnkar from the party would mean that the duo would jump to join the Congress if Pawar presses the quit button on them,” sources added.
“Hence no decision has been taken in this regard since it will only disseminate the party in Goa and that too when polls are just a year away,” sources contended.
Congress General Secretary B K Hariprasad, incharge of Goa desk, told Herald that his party is just waiting for Pawar’s next move.
“We do not expect it to come about soon as the defection law will not come in the way if the NCP ministers want to join the Congress, if their party decides to expel them,” he said.
