PANJIM: A day after Environment Minister Alina Saldanha categorically stated that Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is not well-versed with the subject of Special Status, the Congress on Wednesday demanded the chief minister’s immediate resignation for lack of knowledge on the issue as claimed by his cabinet colleague or that Saldanha be sacked from the Cabinet for misleading people.
Addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar urged the BJP-led government not to fool the people on the issue of Special Status to Goa, if it cannot pursue the demand. “The promise to grant Special Status to Goa, voted BJP to power during March 2012 assembly election. But now it looks like it was a political gimmick,” he said.
Pointing to Saldanha’s media statement on Tuesday, Kawthankar demanded that the chief minister immediately resign over this or that Saldanha be sacked from the cabinet for misleading the people.
“The cabinet minister’s statement against the chief minister has created confusion in the minds of the people. The government needs to come clear on the issue,” he said.
Saldanha at a press conference had said that Parsekar is not well-versed with the Special Status issue as was former chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
Congress also reiterated that the party will not compromise on Special Status to Goa under Article 371 of the Constitution. “If it is not possible, then party will try for Special Status under Article 246 (3) of the Constitution for protection of land,” Kawthankar said.
