Team Herald
PANJIM: Adding to the speculation of a possible induction of two BJP MLAs in the Laxmikant Parsekar cabinet, MLA Vishnu Wagh indirectly confirmed that one alliance minister would be dropped from the cabinet and said that the party is ready to face any consequence, resulting out of it.
Wagh, who is not ruling out the possibility of being given a new responsibility by the party, expressed confidence that the BJP-led government is “stable enough all alone and any move will have no impact”.
Speaking to Herald, the St Andre MLA said that BJP legislators have already recommended to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar that with 18 months left for the polls, the cabinet needs ‘performing’ ministers and not ‘slow players’.
“We have opined to the Chief Minister that at this stage there is no point in having a slow player in the cabinet. It is better to replace them with some senior faces,” Wagh said. He did not rule out that the party was hinting at dropping a MGP Minister.
“Alliance cannot bring any instability in the government. BJP is strong enough, ahead of the polls, the party has begun the process to strengthen its base in all constituencies,” Wagh said.
Asked whether he could be elected the new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly replacing Rajendra Arlekar, who may get a ministerial berth, Wagh said, “I am ready to take up any responsibility the party wants me to.”
“I believe that no MLA should lobby for a ministerial berth or any other post. It is the joint decision of the Chief Minister and the party. It is the prerogative of the Chief Minister to decide who to induct in the cabinet,” he added.
Following the resignation of Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco, there is one vacancy in the cabinet. Speculation is that two new faces may be inducted in the cabinet by dropping MGP minister Pandurang (Deepak) Dhavalikar.
Names of senior BJP MLAs Rajendra Arlekar and Anant Shet are being spoken of as possible new ministers.
