PANJIM, DEC 20
Uncertainty continued to haunt the State unit of NCP over whether Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco will get back his Tourism portfolio in place of Jose Philip D’Souza, now his political foe, or Nilkant Halarnkar, even as the belligerent supporters of the former are waiting exasperatedly.
Even State unit President Surendra Sirsat on Monday evening had no clue as to what would happen next. “The CM is in Delhi; something may definitely come out by tomorrow evening from the party high command,” a top party functionary said.
The demand for the resignations of Jose Philip and Nilkant had had ripple effect on the party which has sown confusion among members.
Those loyal to Jose Philip and Nilkant are questioning how the high command could ask the two to resign without completion of the inquiry into the Margao meeting.
Some of the party workers are questioning why the state President still hasn’t called the Executive Committee meeting to endorse the decision of the high command. Sirsat mentioned that directives from the high command had to be obeyed.
Top sources say Jose Philip has been asked to resign. So, again, uncertainty arises over whether Jose Philip or Nilkant would be asked to step down to pave the way for Mickky’s entry or whether both will be asked to quit. Analysts say these and many more questions may finally be answered tomorrow; and it is a real possibility that Jose Philip and Nilkant could conjure up something new to change the present scenario.
And what could this new thing be? Legal experts believe the two may refuse to resign forcing the high command to expel them from the party. In this case they will continue to be MLAs till the Assembly elections.
Analysts say both Jose Philip and Halarnkar know they may not do a Vishwajeet-like-comeback in case they resign and want to contest from their respective constituencies. Analysts say these are the possible scenarios that may arise, but nothing is certain.
