PANIM/MAPUSA: The last time BJP faced a revolt was in 2005 when its number two in the Cabinet Digambar Kamat quit the party. Almost a decade later, another number two is smarting under a slight. This time it is Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza who feels he is the natural successor to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and would not take oath as minister if he doesn’t get the top post.
“I am senior most in the Cabinet. As per hierarchy I am second. So when Parrikar vacates, I should be made the chief minister. If I am not sworn in as chief minister I will not take oath as a minister. I would remain as a MLA. I will not quit the party,” D’Souza, who arrived in Goa this afternoon from London, said.
“I would not like to work under a junior,” he said referring to both his party colleagues – Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, who are considered as front runners for the post.
D’Souza, now a contender for chief ministerial post, said he would not surrender his demand for the post even for a consensus candidate.
“There is no issue of consensus. No one has approached me with a consensus candidate. There are quite a number of BJP legislators who are supporting me. At least 12 (out of 21) legislators are with me,” D’Souza told the media on emerging from the Cabinet meeting Friday evening.
Later Friday he met Parrikar who told him the matter was not in his hands and to speak to the high command. Sources said that when D’Souza met the party observers in Goa — Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Purushottam Rupala – they told him that he should meet B S Yeddyurappa, who will be arriving on Saturday. D’Souza will be meeting him on Saturday.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that legislators cutting across the spectrum, not just from the minority community, want him as chief minister.
“As per seniority, I must get an opportunity to become the chief minister and I am going to stake claim for it at the party meeting (on Saturday),” he said.
When asked whether his revolt would embarrass the party, D’Souza said it is an individual choice whether to be in government or not.
“I have been elected four times from Mapusa by substantial margins and worked as minister too,” D’Souza said.
D’Souza is not the only one who thinks that way. He has got the support of MLAs Vishnu Wagh (St Andre), Michael Lobo (Calangute), Glen Ticlo (Aldona), Kiran Kandolkar (Tivim) and Carlos Almeida (Vasco).
Earlier, Wagh told the media that selection of a candidate for the post of Chief Minister does not arise. “Francis D’Souza is the Deputy Chief Minister and by seniority, he should automatically become the chief minister. There should not be two opinions about it,” said Wagh. “This is good opportunity for BJP to send a message across the country that it is a secular party by elevating D’Souza to the post of chief minister.”
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that if D’Souza was selected as chief minister, the message sent across the country will be that BJP really cares for the minorities.
“D’Souza is quite an experienced person and deserves to be chief minister. I am with D’Souza,” Lobo said.
Aldona MLA Glen Ticlo echoed similar views.
However, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar only said, “I spoke to all of them (MLAs) personally. I can’t say anything right now.”
The party, he said, will decide on the CM candidate based on feedback from the leaders, views of which were conveyed to the parliamentary board on Friday evening.
