Team Herald
PANJIM: Condemning Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for clinging to the chair, despite being physically incapacitated for nine months, like-minded citizens have decided to intensify their agitation for a full-time chief minister.
Under the banner ‘People’s March for Restoration of Governance in Goa’, like-minded citizens said that despite ailing since the last nine months Parrikar has not thought it fit to vacated the post; he must resign and allow someone to take over as full-time Chief Minister for smooth functioning of the administration.
To press for their demand, the citizens have decided to demonstrate during Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari’s visit to Goa on December 12.
Over 100 citizens from across various fields, including politics, activism, literature, lawyers, gathered at Azad Maidan on Saturday, where National award winning RTI activist Rajan Ghate continued his agitation as he entered ninth day of hunger strike, pressing for the resignation of the Chief Minister. The citizens urged Ghate to withdraw his indefinite hunger strike, which he declined.
The meeting condemned Governor Mridula Sinha for being a mere spectator to the breakdown in administration and for having failed in her constitutional obligation to intervene and restore governance in the State.
“The meeting resolved to intensify the agitation across the State. We will hold demonstrations at every government and other functions that Governor will attend and also where the Union Ministers will be coming. This is basically to send a signal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah that people want a fulltime Chief Minister,” Adv Aires Rodrigues said.
The protestors also decided to hold a flash demonstration at Chief Minister’s residence to continue mounting pressure. “If Parrikar had shown inclination to resign, as said by Vijai Sardesai, then PM Modi had no right to intervene and ask him to continue,” Rodrigues said.
Parrikar, who has been ailing since mid-February, is currently recuperating at his private residence since October 14, when he was discharged from AIIMS, New Delhi. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Renowned cardiologist Dr Francisco Colaco, who was the key speaker, said that as per the reliable sources Parrikar is in irreversible comatose stage and that he is not just physically but mentally incapacitated. “I request Parrikar’s children, on my knees, to tell BJP high command to stop playing with the health of their father,” he said and slammed the Governor for being mute spectator.
NCP leader Avinash Bhosle said that people looking for a good administration need to come out in large numbers and mount pressure on BJP for a fulltime chief minister. “If Parrikar and BJP can sack two Ministers owing to their health, then why can’t chief minister, who is more serious, step down?” he questioned.
Activist Judith Almeida said some like-minded persons had on October 31 petitioned the Governor to dismiss the government for lack of proper administration and good governance. “The Governor in her reply has directed Chief Secretary to take cognizance of our memorandum. What is this called? I will urge Governor and Chief Minister not to take people of Goa for granted,” she said.
The protestors also slammed and condemned BJP State president Vinay Tendulkar’s statement that the protest was for publicity and that Ghate can continue his fast till death as party is not bothered.
Speakers included Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar, thinker Datta Nayak, activist Rama Kankonkar, Arthur D’Souza, Tara Kerkar, Congress Mahila chief Pratima Coutinho, Trajano D’Mello etc.
Others present were Goa Foundation director Claude Alvares, lawyer Norma Alvares, educationst Arvind Bhatikar, writer Dilip Borkar, Congress MLA Nikant Halankar, Congress leaders Agnelo Fernandes, Sankalp Amonkar.
