PANJIM: Since March 2018 the State has been in a crisis-like situation in the absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who is being treated in the US. That crisis just got worse with Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza, a member of the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) going on a holiday to Portugal.
That leaves just MGP’s PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Goa Forward Supremo and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai.
It’s common knowledge that the other two members of the CAC – Dhavalikar and Sardesai – have no love lost. Even when Parrikar was in Goa the duo never liked to face each other.
With just two of them remaining in the CAC, whose term has been extended till June 30, the possibility of them coming to a conclusion on a matter is remote. Importantly, both are aspirants for the CM’s chair and the two have been involved in an oral spat on the issue after Dhavalikar said he was mentally ready to take over as the next chief minister.
“If people are happy with my work then I am mentally prepared to take over the responsibility as Chief Minister,” Dhavalikar had said responding to a question last month. “But let us not talk on that issue at this stage as these can come into effect only when MGP gets 21 seats,” he added.
When asked for his reaction on Dhavalikar being “mentally prepared” to take over the reins of the State, Sardesai said, “There is no question of anybody (other than Parrikar) being the chief minister. There is no vacancy for CM’s post,” he added.
With the two now part of the all-important CAC the question arises as to what will happen to the administration. “The stop-gap arrangement in the form of the Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC), is working very well,” Sardesai said, adding, “Parrikar is very much in command of the State’s affairs.”
Importantly, the largest party in the coalition – the BJP – does not have any representation in the CAC as D’Souza has gone on a holiday.
Worse still, another senior minister Pandurang Madkaikar is also unwell after surgery for a stroke in Mumbai.
All in all, if Parrikar does not arrive in Goa soon, the State is in for turbulent times.
