Digambar to meet Sonia
to expand cabinet
Sandesh Prabhudesai
19 June 2007
Chief minister Digambar Kamat is expected to finalise the
names and portfolios of cabinet ministers after meeting Congress
president Sonia Gandhi tomorrow.
Meanwhile, confusion has arisen within the Congress-led alliance
over making independent MLA Vishwajeet Rane the minister.
Kamat spoke to Goa desk in-charge Margaret Alva today evening,
after reaching Delhi. If finalised, the cabinet expansion
may take place by Thursday.
MGP minister Sudin Dhavalikar today reiterated his demand
to grant cabinet berth to Vishwajeet. The alliance government
could have not come into reality without his support, he argued.
Dr Wilfred de Souza, the local NCP president, however today
once again demanded cabinet berths for all his three legislators.
Kamat has already inducted Jose Philip D'Souza, the NCP leader.
Micky Pacheco, the former minister, and first timer Nilkanth
Halarnkar are awaiting entry into the cabinet.
Dr Willy has also strongly opposed Congress first timers
into the cabinet. However, he argues, this criteria does not
apply to the NCP since it had a pre-poll alliance with the
Congress.
As there are more contenders and few seats, most of the Congressmen
have opposed induction of third NCP man as well as Vishwajeet.
The son of former Congress chief minister - now the speaker
- Pratapsing Rane, Vishwajeet had rebelled from the party
in protest of denying him the ticket.
The Congress-led alliance is presently supported by three
NCP, two MGP and Vishwajeet, besides the 16 of the Congress,
making it 22 in the 40-member House.
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