OLD GOA, JULY 15
Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar has reportedly snubbed the Congress government by declining the offer to head the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC).
According to sources, the Congress leadership, having brought the party to almost the halfway mark in the State assembly with the re-entry of Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, is now keen on satisfying its disgruntled legislators, particularly Madkaikar.
Sources further informed that Congress General Secretary, in-charge of Goa Desk, B K Hariprasad, reportedly had asked Madkaikar to take over the chairmanship of GSIDC as the party found it difficult to accommodate Madkaikar in the cabinet due to political compulsions.
Madkaikar, however, rejected the offer stating that he was representing the ST community of the State, which should be represented in the State Cabinet.
Speaking to Herald, Madkaikar said he was offered the post of GSIDC chairman with Cabinet status, but added that he did not accept the offer.
“Though I am a junior in the Congress, my demand is to get a representation for a ST community in the State,” he added.
“The Congress government did not say that they are not giving me a ministry, but for the time being they said that they would like to give me a corporation and at the same time an offer of Cabinet status,” Madkaikar said.
“But the question is that when I was dropped, promises were made that I would be given the Cabinet status and this promise was even made by Sonia Gandhi. That is why I am confident that when Sonia Gandhi gives some promises, it has to be fulfilled,” he added.
“In Goa, there are about 12-15 per cent of ST Community. Today in Cabinet, there is a representation for every community people, then why only the ST Community does not have a representation is a question among the ST people,” he said.
“My demand is that as I am the lone MLA from the ST community, I should also be given a Cabinet berth,” stated Madkaikar.
“I have taken up the issue of a cabinet berth and corporation being given to me with my ST community leaders and asked them what I should do on the issue,” he added.
