Drop Jose, induct Mickky: NCP
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 18
On a day of hectic political activities, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) high command today formally asked Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to drop one of the party ministers Jose Philip D’Souza from the cabinet to make way for Benaulim legislator Mickky Pacheco.
Although, the party president refused to confirm the name till late night who was the minister to be dropped, reliable sources confirmed the name of Jose Philip.
Party sources also said it has sent notices to both ministers – Jose and Nilkanth, to submit their resignation.
Jose and Nilkanth Halarnkar are facing a party-level inquiry after they held a confidential meeting at Goa Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Vijay Sardesai’s residence on Wednesday evening in Margao.
Sources stated that the ministers were huddled in the meeting after NCP high command asked chief minister to drop one of its minister to make way for induction of former Tourism Minister Mickey Pacheco, who was forced to resign after his alleged involvement in Nadia murder case.
Today, the NCP’s Goa observer Prakash Bhinsale – who was rushed in from Mumbai, along with the party’s State unit president Surendra Sirsat, met Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and formally submitted a letter from high command on dismissing one of the two ministers from the cabinet.
While efforts to contact Prakash Bhinsale proved futile, party Sirsat confirmed the letter was handed over to the chief minister.
He, however, refused to reveal the content and the name of the minister to be dropped from the ministry.
Sources in the NCP told Herald, the letter from the NCP high command, was signed by Sirsat, on the instruction of party’s central leadership.
“The letter has asked one of the ministers to be dropped and induct Mickky into the cabinet,” sources said.
Sources also said that Kamat has asked for time to consult the Congress high command.
Sources further said, the decision in this aspect was reached after party’s senior leader and Goa desk incharge Prafful Patel met the party president Sharad Pawar in Pune this morning.
Meanwhile, there were rumours throughout the day about Mickky’s swearing-in at Raj Bhavan.
While sources said Mickky’s supporters called some friends and media persons inviting them for swearing in at Raj Bhavan at 7.30 pm.
A similar invitation was also received by leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar.
Also, hundreds of Mickky’s supporters were seen waiting outside the Raj Bhavan at Dona Paula expecting the good news for hours in the evening.
