Team Herald

PANJIM: Deviating from its earlier statement of loyalty only to Parrikar, Goa Forward Party has now said that it does not want to burden the people of Goa with mid-term polls.

Stating that the onus to ensure that the current government continues its full tenure of five years lies with the BJP, Sardesai said “with or without Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, the State government should complete its full tenure.”

The statement comes in the wake of ill health of Parrikar, who was flown from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi to Goa on Sunday.

Sardesai said that BJP National President Amit Shah called him on Sunday afternoon to discuss the political situation in the State.

“Amit Shah spoke to me and I have said no to mid-term poll. With or without Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, this government should continue,” he said.

Referring to the commitment of BJP in the past when the coalition was formed in Goa in 2017, Sardesai said “BJP high command especially Amit Shah has given me an assurance that this government which we formed with Manohar Parrikar should continue for full five years.”

“We also want the same thing,” he added. 

Asked about the leadership change, he said, right now Parrikar is the CM and let us see when the time comes. On whether he would agree to a new CM from BJP MLAs, he said, “let the proposal come first”.

“I am sure the BJP will consult the allies before reaching any decision,” he said. The GFP leader said that Congress is actually fishing in troubled waters because the opposition party (Congress) wants dissolution. 

“In the light of our commitment to this government, the onus is on BJP high command to fulfil their commitment and see that government completes its tenure,” he said. 

“If they (BJP) want, they can go for dissolution but not going for dissolution will prove that they are the people who keep their word. People of Goa are watching them,” Sardesai said.