Mhambrey: It is the prerogative of the chief minister to decide the fate of an unwell minister. In the present case in Goa, everything is made clear and the high command at Centre will take appropriate decision in consultation with the allies.
HERALD: Do you think the Constitution of India has the foresight to insure that democracy is honoured if so many Ministers like the one in Goa Cabinet take ill so suddenly?
Naik: The constitution prescribes an oath to every minister who assumes office. This oath therefore does not afford any minister who is incapable or unable to discharge his functions as a minister to continue. Therefore those ministers who cannot discharge their functions and duties due to illness or otherwise are committing breach of that oath.
HERALD: Do you think the BJP led Government should have either forfeited their right to run Goa and asked Governor to either allow the largest party (Congress) to form the Government or sought dissolution of the House?
Naik: The congress party is the single largest party in the house. We were denied the opportunity to prove our might as we were very highhandedly not invited by the governor after elections to form the government. We are still the single largest party . The BJP Government has ensured collapse of state administration. Congress party must be invited to form the government in such circumstances.
HERALD: Do you think it is time to enshrine the health, competence and ability of Minister as a necessary condition for them to take decisions or rule the Government?
Naik: While we wish good health to all in the government too, we are very anguished to note that BJP alliance has pushed the State into administrative chaos. There is complete collapse of administration . The issues of the State are piling. There is no governance. This BJP Government has to go. Congress was and is capable of providing good governance by forming government.
HERALD: What should a Government do when its Ministers are seriously ill and not in the best of health to perform their duties – be temporarily removed or kept in abeyance or simply replaced?
Naik: If the ministers are unable to discharge their functions and duties for whatsoever reasons they cannot ensure collapse of administration. First the BJP undemocratically formed this government and now they have ensured it's collapse. The people of the State are suffering. The economy of the State has collapsed. This government is a pure failure and it must not continue in office even for a single more minute.
