Allies in Goa pledge support to BJP till Parrikar at helm
NUMBERS GAME BJP formed government with support from nine other legislators PANAJI:
Two crucial allies of the BJP-led coalition in Goa — the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) — have pledged support to the government till Manohar Parrikar, who is undergoing treatment in a Mumbai hospital, remains chief minister.
The 40-member Goa assembly has a majority mark of 21. The BJP, which has only 14 MLAs, formed the government last year with support from three MLAs each of the MGP and GFP along with three Independent legislators.
“The Maharashtrawadi Gomatak Party has pledged its support to the BJP-led alliance and we will not withdraw it till Parrikar is the chief minister,” party chief Deepak Dhavalikar said in Panaji.
Parrikar is being treated for pancreatic ailment at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai since February 15.
Expressing hope that Parrikar would be back soon and take charge, Dhavalikar said there is no question of withdrawing the support even if he remains out of action for a longer period.
“Till he is the chief minister, we are there with the government,” he said.
GFP president Vijay Sardesai said his party’s support to the government will continue till Parrikar is chief minister.
“Parrikar is fighting a medical condition. He has always been a winner. He will come back soon to Goa,” Sardesai said.
During the Budget session of the assembly, which started on Tuesday, BJP MLAs wished Parrikar a speedy recovery.
“We are hopeful that he (Parrikar) will be here (in the House and back to Goa). Everybody in Goa including the Opposition is praying for his good health. This is because of his good work for the people of Goa,” said BJP’s chief whip Glenn Ticlo.
Another BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral said even those, who have been criticising Parrikar, are praying for his good health.
“The social media is full of good wishes for CM. Even those criticising him are praying for his good health. The opposition parties are also wishing him to return fit and fine, because the CM has done a lot of work for the people of Goa,” he said.