Team Herald
PANJIM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nearly confirmed that caretaker Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant will lead the State for the second time. Although the government formation has seen a considerable delay, the party has dismissed apprehensions of internal difference over Goa’s next CM.
“We will abide by whatever the party leaders decide. We are a disciplined party. There is no question on who will be the CM. The party leaders will take appropriate decision. Right now, Dr Sawant’s name is approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai said while replying to media questions on Friday.
He reiterated that the acting CM will lead the State again, and BJP will also win the upcoming LS polls.
Phaldessai along with MLAs Nilkant Halarnkar, Govind Gaude and Daji Salkar held a joint press conference to counter Congress’ attempts to show BJP’s failure to form the government.
While hailing the Centre led by PM Modi for giving good governance to the country, Phaldessai claimed that BJP in Goa will form the government within 4-5 days. He cited inauspicious period of Holashtak for the delay. His statement was backed by Gaude who further slammed the Congress for creating an unnecessary hype on the issue.
“There is no doubt on the formation of government and who will be the leader. I appeal the people of Goa that they have given us a clear mandate and we will honour that. We will form a stable government for next five years, fulfill aspirations of the people of Goa and perform to the best of our abilities. We are capable to do so,” the Sanguem MLA said adding, “The party will give us a schedule and accordingly work…BJP will form government in four States together. We believe it should happen in 4-5 days.”
The BJP also took a dig at the Congress for questioning BJP’s delay tactics on government formation stating the country’s grand old party has itself not decided its leader in the Legislative Assembly. More so, after humiliating defeat across five states, it’s senior leader Sonia Gandhi had demanded resignation of the Presidents of Pradesh Congress Committees including Girish Chodankar in Goa.
Phaldessai also asked the Congress to not mislead and provoke the people stating “it is condemnable” while emphasising that Acting CM has proved to be a good administrator under whom BJP swept the polls with 50 percent candidates winning the seats.
The BJP also denied alleged differences within the party over appointment of new CM. Phaldessai said that it’s candidates were intact before the polls and are together post results too.
