The Chief Minister’s meeting with the alliance partners lasted for about an hour and a half wherein the CM conveyed to them that he would be retaining the important portfolios.
Emerging from the meeting and being quite clear about it, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai said that it was all about portfolio allocation. “It is very clear that the Chief Minister wants to delegate the portfolios that he has. That is why he had a discussion with us. This development will be put in place after Dussehra maybe,” he said.
Sardesai said they discussed many issues like administration and politics. “CM has expressed his willingness to ensure that Goa has a stable government and that that alliance partners stay for the future,” he said, suggesting there were no demands for any particular portfolios.
PWD Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar disclosed that portfolio allocation is the CM’s prerogative and whatever he decides will be acceptable. “We discussed only the development of Goa, nothing else. We discussed preparations for Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
Sources revealed there was also a discussion about appointing a deputy CM which was ruled out by Dhavalikar. “No discussion on deputy CM, that is not important, what is important is developing Goa,” he said.
Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said discussions were basically on the departments he held. “Also issues pertaining to my constituency and there was also short discussions on portfolios I already hold,” he said. He added he did not make any demands for any particular portfolios.
“No demands as such. I have done whatever responsibility I have been given so far and in future too the same will continue,” he said.
