Key BJP ally demands Goa CM’S resignation

A KEY BJP ally on Thursday demanded Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s sacking before pre-poll alliance for the 2017 assembly polls.

“Prior to the assembly elections, the state BJP leadership must name the next CM. In 2012, we agreed to Manohar Parrikar’s leadership not Parsekar. But after Parrikar took over as Defence Minister, Parsekar was named as CM. We were not taken into confidence,” said Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) chief and minister Deepak Dhavalikar.

MGP lawmaker Lavu Mamledar accused the CM of inaction. He said that several files moved for administrative decisions are lying at the chief minister’s office. “In a matter of two years of his rule, Parsekar has managedtoreversethestate’sadministration by 10 years,” he said.

The chief minister reacted saying that MGP had chosen a wrong forum to express its grievance. “I am not a self appointed CM, the party chose me to execute the task. MGP should have addressed their grievance to BJP president or other leaders to get it resolved instead of speaking to the media,’’ Parsekar said.

Goa Suraksha Manch President Anand Shirodkar separately called Parsekar a “puppet” in the hands of Parrikar, “who is calling the shots’’ in the state’s governance . “Even the recent decision to go cashless (following demonetisation) was made by Parrikar. Is Parrikar the chief minister of the state? Does it come under the purview of the defence minister to make such announcements,” he said.