TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Sorry, there was no politics involved in our Wednesday meeting at a Varca beach resort, the ruling MLAs insisted. But, ministers and MLAs supporting the Parrikar government descended at Varca last night to usher in the new year with a big bash at a starred resort.
Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar also joined the party believed to be hosted by Independent MLA and Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado. Sources say most of the ministers and MLAs supporting the government made their presence felt for the party late last night. The Dhavlikar brothers were conspicuous by their absence and so was Health Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Laxmikant Parsekar. The Goa Vikas Party (GVP) legislators were absent too. It is not known whether the two GVP legislators Mickky Pacheco and Caitu Silva were invited, but sources say Caitu is indisposed and convalescing at the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.
The chief minister was reportedly huddled with his ministerial colleagues and MLAs for quite some time before heading back to Panjim. What is significant to note is that the chief minister was accompanied by his trusted aide and Law Commission Chairman Narendra Sawaikar. The presence of Sawaikar at the MLA’s meeting assumes importance as he is widely perceived to be the BJP candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha polls. When contacted, Sawaikar said there was no politics involved in the meeting and it was just a get together for New the Year.
Furtado too insisted that the Varca meeting was just a get together of the ruling group to celebrate the New Year. “We did not meet for quite a long time. So, we all decided to meet at Varca and celebrate the New Year”, he added.
