It’s all still unclear

Team Herald

PANJIM: The political situation in the State continued to remain fluid with a solution to the current political crisis expected on Wednesday. There is still no clarity on whether there will be a change of leadership or Manohar Parrikar will continue as chief minister with a Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) in place.

BJP National president Amit Shah is expected to meet Parrikar at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Wednesday, after which the announcement is expected. This will be the second meeting between Shah and Parrikar since the latter was admitted to the institute.

BJP’s three-member team that was in Goa on Sunday and Monday to take stock of political situation was expected to submit their report to Shah either late Tuesday or Wednesday morning. “The committee will put forth the views expressed by BJP legislators, core team members and alliance partners. The final decision will be taken by Shah,” sources said. 

“Shah will be meeting Parrikar again tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the situation and accordingly a decision will be taken. There is no clarity as what the decision could be. Stability of the government is what the top priority at present,” sources revealed.

While the coalition partners – Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Independents – have switched to a wait and watch mode, big brother BJP is apparently pushing for Shripad Naik as a possible Chief Minister in the State to avoid handing over the leadership of the government to an alliance partner.

Sources reveal that the BJP core committee, which met on Monday, is of the view that Parrikar should continue as Chief Minister, while a CAC comprising ministers from the BJP, GFP and MGP be constituted to run the administration. It has also been learnt that till the Chief Minister takes charge, post his medical treatment, his portfolios will be distributed amongst the Ministers to ensure there is no roadblock in the State’s functioning. 

The allies – GFP and Independents – have demanded a permanent solution to the leadership crisis, while MGP is of the view that the charge be handed over to the senior most MLA till Parrikar returns. 

Considering the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, which are crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to retain power at the Centre, BJP will have to take a decision that will keep the allies happy.

While the BJP leaders have maintained complete silence on the issue, the coalition partners are waiting for an alternative face to lead the government. “Whatever the solution, it should be a permanent solution. We have to ensure that State administration functions smoothly,” GFP president and Minister Vijai Sardesai said.

“We have extended our support to Manohar Parrikar and will continue to be with him,” he said as he maintained there was unity of GFP and Independent MLAs.

Sardesai had led a group of six MLAs, comprising Vinod Palyekar, Jayesh Salgaonkar, Rohan Khaunte, Govind Gawade and Prasad Gaonkar to jointly meet the BJP observers.

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