Team Herald
PANJIM: Around hundred-odd protestors including social activists and political leaders on Tuesday tried to march to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s private residence at Dona Paula, where he is currently undergoing treatment, demanding his resignation. The protestors under the banner ‘People march for restoration of democracy of Goa’, has set a 48 hours ultimatum to ailing Chief Minister to step down, failing which they have threatened a State-wide agitation.
Congress leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, party president Girish Chodankar, MLAs Digamber Kamat, Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco, Jennifer Monserrate, Tony Fernandes, party office bearers, Shiv Sena’s Jitesh Kamat, National Congress Party (NCP) Avinash Bhosle, social activist Aires Rodrigues, Dr Francis Colaco, were part of the protest march.
The protestors, who wanted to meet Chief Minister with a demand that he should step down for smooth and effective functioning of the State administration and also for his good health, were stopped 100 meters away from Parrikar’s residence by the police, who were gathered in large number.
The aggrieved agitators shouted slogans against Chief Minister and accused him for taking State for ransom for his personal political gains. They also accused BJP of taking undue advantage of Parrikar’s health to fulfill their lust for power.
The Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) North IAS Shashank Tripathi who reached the site informed that Chief Minister cannot meet the protestors and that they should peaceful disperse without any hardship to the local residence.
Social activist Adv Aires Rodrigues submitted memorandum to SDM giving 48 hours ultimatum to Chief Minister to step down from the position gracefully failing which will be responsible for the consequences thereafter.
They have also urged Goa Governor Dr Mridula Sinha to intervene to protect the democracy and not to act as mute spectator.
Speaking to media persons later, Rodrigues said that people of Goa have for the last nine months been patiently watching with deep anguish the total administrative breakdown in the State due to Chief Minister’s illness and failure to discharge the constitutional obligations. He said that the people who were marching to the residence of CM had come to see the factual condition of his health.
“SDM has conveyed us that Chief Minister is physically unfit to met us and this has exposed all the lies of BJP leaders and CMO officials, who till now have been claiming that Parrikar health is stable,” he said.
“Hence, we request Chief Minister to step down from the post and take complete rest for the good health and hand over the charge for smooth functioning of the administration,” Rodrigues said.
Rodrigues said that if CM does not step down within 48 hours, the State wide agitation would be planned to force him to resign. “CM will be solely responsible for all the consequences,” he said.
Dr Francis Colaco said that he had come to check the health condition of CM. “Chief Minister needs a complete rest to recover. He has to rest to ensure good life,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar recalled how the Congress party for last five-six months has been raising voice against slowdown of administration. “We had made several representations to the Governor seeking her intervention. However, she never considered our request,” he said.
“We all want Chief Minister to recover and our prayers are with him. But how long are we going to sympathize and allow the State to function like this,” he stated.
