Team Herald

PANJIM: Three Independents MLAs, including two ministers, extended their support to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in the Panjim by-poll, claiming he is the only politician fit to be on the CM’s chair.

In a joint press conference on Saturday, Ministers Rohan Khaunte and Govind Gaude, and MLA Prasad Gaonkar spoke in one voice backing Parrikar. 

“He is fit to be CM from among all 40 MLAs. As the CM of the State, Parrikar is trying to create a Goa according to the wishes of the Goans. He is not only a good administrator but has good financial capabilities too,” Khaunte said urging Panjim voters to vote in favour of Parrikar. 

He said the coalition government has taken various pending issues to their logical conclusion such as outlining policy to shift off-shore casinos out of River Mandovi, resolving the Kul Mundkar issue, making coconut a State Tree, clarifying on the nationalisation of rivers, etc. These issues were highlighted in the common minimum program. 

“We (coalition partners) have been closely working with him and we have comfortably put across the issues. He understands and ensures the problems are solved,” the Revenue Minister claimed as the other two MLAs nodded in agreement. 

Asked about off-shore casino issue, the Porvorim MLA said it is the State issue rather than just a Panjim issue, and assured that the government will relocate the vessels to an alternative site. 

“A Smart City Plan for Panjim is in the offing and it can become a reality only through him (Parrikar),” he added. 

Referring to Parrikar’s return to Goa, as CM, when he was Defence Minister, Khaunte said, “You need a big heart to come back. Just like the nation was in the need (for Parikar to continue as Defense Minister), Goenkars too had the same need (to return to State politics). Accordingly, we put our condition that only if he comes back to Goa as CM, we will form the government,” he said supported by Gaude and Gaonkar.  

Asked if such a demand was inappropriate considering that the nation is bigger than the State, Khaunte replied, “Both Country and the State are big. There are so many eminent personalities in the team (union cabinet), so I think right now we need him more in Goa. He sacrificed the union cabinet post for Goa.”

He added that Parrikar’s personal contacts with the Prime Minister, President and others in the union cabinet are an advantage to the State. Gaonkar and Gaude agreed stating the Goans are impressed with Parrikar’s performance. 

The Independent MLAs took a dig at the Congress claiming their issues continue to remain unsolved even as the State will witness a by-election. “Congress issue on leadership crisis is yet to be solved. They need a strong leader to taken Goenkarponn forward,” Khaunte said.