PANJIM: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has warned its MLAs not to publicly air their opinion against the government, after recent outbursts of its legislators did not go down well with the party leadership.
St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh’s statements against the government have been repeatedly cited by the media, the latest being on the Agricultural Tenancy (amendment) Act. This is not the first time that Wagh has made media statements opposing government decisions. In the past too he was vocal on the Medium of Instruction (MoI) issue, and even participated in a public agitation with a group.
At the recently held state executive meeting earlier this week, attended by over 500 workers, BJP leaders – Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and General Secretary Satish Dhond – warned party workers, including MLAs, to be cautious while making statements against the government.
“In the recent meeting, the BJP leadership issued a warning to the MLAs that they should not raise their personal views in public against the government, as it has a direct impact,” party president Vinay Tendulkar said. He was replying to a question as to why no disciplinary action has been initiated against Wagh, despite his periodic statements against the government.
Tendulkar said that the acts of MLAs are being closely monitored by senior leaders, and action will be taken as and when required. He said that Wagh has not been active as a party worker for some time now, as he has not attended any party meetings. “He was not there for the recent state executive meeting. He has skipped the last three to four meetings,” Tendulkar said.
Cases in point
u Then chief minister Manohar Parrikar had stripped MLA Vishnu Wagh of his positions as chairman of Kala Academy and vice-chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa for joining students protesting the BJP government’s policy to continue grants to Diocesan English medium primary schools. He has also been writing a column of satirical verses criticising and ridiculing then BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi and Parrikar.
u Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, pushing for Francis D’Souza as deputy CM had said this would send a clear signal that BJP cares for the minority community. He had pointed out that Congress has accused BJP of being communal and this would be an opportunity to get rid of the communal tag by appointing a CM from the minority community.
