PANJIM: News of six Catholic MLAs of the ruling coalition, led by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, holidaying in Kochi, Kerala sparked off speculation of political unrest in the State on Saturday.
But the MLAs were quick to scotch any speculation of there being something cooking in Kochi. “There is nothing political in our holiday. This was planned almost two months ago by our families,” Dy CM D’Souza told Herald in a telephonic conversation.
The legislators include BJP’s Michael Lobo, Glenn Ticlo and Carlos Almeida as well as independents, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and Velim MLA Benjamin Silva.
D’Souza said all the six MLAs have their families with them in Kochi. “If there was anything we would have not come with families. We are 21 people here,” D’Souza said. He, however, said he is upset with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, but that would be sorted once he returns on Sunday.
Sources say the Deputy CM is upset with the secretary level bureaucratic transfers, which were taken without consulting him.
In a recent secretary-level reshuffle, the CM reallocated portfolios by dividing D’Souza’s portfolios like Urban Development, Town and Country Planning, Revenue, Health, etc to different secretaries while earlier there was one secretary dealing with
all departments.
“I have already expressed my displeasure to the CM and that’s it. Either he should consult a senior person like me or I am prepared to sit as an MLA,” he said. “I have no problem in reallocation since it’s his prerogative as the in-charge of General Administration and Personnel. But he should have consulted me beforehand. Manohar Parrikar always did it,” D’Souza said.
He is also upset the way the issue of his recommendation eight months ago to transfer Mapusa deputy collector Pundalik Khorjuvekar, who comes under his Revenue department, was handled by the CM’s office.
In a similar manner, D’Souza is upset that Khorjuvekar has been transferred now when all the Bardez MLAs wanted him to be retained and bringing back Chandrakant Shetkar, who was transferred because of his alleged corrupt behaviour.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo tried to play down the trip and the transfers as coincidence. “It is sheer coincidence. This picnic was planned by our families and I can’t say much,” Lobo told Herald.
He said there is no link between D’Souza’s comments and this trip. “Francis D’Souza is a seasoned politician and he knows how to deal with issues, if any, he has with the CM,” Lobo said.
