PANJIM: Stating that the people have the right to know of the chief minister’s health status, senior BJP member Francis D’Souza said that the internecine feud between the senior party leaders is only demoralising the party workers. D’Souza was recently dropped as cabinet minister.
D’Souza who is in the US for treatment, told Herald, “I am returning to Goa on Tuesday as my treatment is completed and doctors have given a go ahead.”
He said that BJP President Vinay Tendulkar and former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s free for all is weakening the party. “At this time when the party needs to regroup as the CM is critical, they are fighting. Who will the workers look to for encouragement?” he asked. He, however, indirectly justified Parsekar’s outbursts saying that he is hurt. “When we say Congress Mukt Bharat, it does not mean getting Congress leaders in BJP. We need to expand our party. This is actually Congressiation of BJP,” he said.
He also criticised the party for sidelining him. “With the new entrants, the party has forgotten old leaders who built up the party in Goa,” he stated.
He said he is unaware of Parrikar’s health condition and nobody has even spoken to him about the same. “There should be a bulletin every week on his health. (Chief Minister Manohar) Parrikar is not just anybody, he is the leader of the State and people have the right to know about his health,” he said.
Parrikar who returned from AIIMS on October 14, is recuperating at his Dona Paula residence. However, there has been no update on his health since then.
