TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Even as there is no minister from Salcete in the new cabinet, after Avertano Furtado was kept out as of now, both independent legislators from Salcete – Furtado and Benjamin Silva – are yet to ‘officially’ extend their support to the Laxmikant Parsekar-led government. Inferences are that both the legislators could be waiting for the Cabinet expansion, which has been scheduled next week, before making any official announcement.
Furtado, who was Fisheries Minister in the previous Manohar Parrikar-led government, was left out when the new Cabinet under Parsekar was sworn-in on November 8. He was the only out-going minister not to form part of the present Cabinet.
Both, Furtado and Silva, who extended their support to the BJP-led government after 2012 Assembly elections, are now closely monitoring the fast paced political developments.
“We are always with the government, but now we are waiting for the cabinet expansion,” Furtado told Herald. “Also by now, no one has asked us for our support,” he added.
The independent legislators, on Tuesday morning met Parsekar on his first day in office. While several party office bearers and secretaries also came to greet the Chief Minister, Parsekar apparently cold shouldered the independent MLAs who were present in his cabin.
While Furtado claims that he has been promised a cabinet berth by the outgoing Chief Minister, the present Chief Minister refused to comment on this. “We will have to wait till next week for the cabinet expansion,” Parsekar said in the presence of both the MLAs. “Whether in or out (of the Cabinet), we will support the govt,” Furtado commented. When Silva was asked the same question, he said that they will definitely extend their support to the government, but are waiting for some time.
There have been unconfirmed reports that GVP MLA Mickky Pacheco may be inducted into the Cabinet either replacing Furtado or along with him.
