Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that a group of 18 MLAs is taking shape within BJP to split, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said there is simmering discontent within the ruling dispensation over the leadership.
Speaking to the media on the idea of a mahagatbandhan in Goa, aka Maharashtra, Khaunte said he is an Independent opposition MLA and it is his job to take up issues concerning Goans.
“I have heard that 18 MLAs have come up together and media should know it better, but one thing is sure that the knee-jerk reaction shown by the government shows the instability in the government,” Khaunte said.
He said it was there for everyone to see, the way they reacted in past few days like the joint cabinet briefings and a few MLAs sharing their thoughts, which openly shows that MLAs and ministers are not happy with the Pramod Sawant government.
“They may talk about the 27 or 30 MLAs, but I believe there is a group of 18, which has been operating,” he said.
On Goa Forward Party parleys wth Shiv Sena, he said, it is a regional party that may have decided to go with the Shiv Sena and meet, or may have been invited to the swearing-in, it is their take.
Asked whether he would join the alliance, Khaunte replied, “Anything can happen in politics. I may or may not be with the group… but the core issue remains that the discontent within the government is out in the open.”
Khaunte further said the government’s focus is only on borrowings and not on generating revenue. “There is no focus on generating revenue that is why I am saying Sawant is a weak leader, and should resign,” he said.
He said the chief minister is in deep slumber as Mhadei is at stake and the naphtha ship posing a huge threat is still there. “He is only doing PR jobs of BJP. We need a strong CM not PR manager. Their leaders may say he is a strong CM, but I am firm on this demand,” he said.
On the financial crisis, he said the situation is such that the government may not be able to pay salaries in February.
