Cong
-BJP quarrel, defectors welcomed
Sandesh Prabhudesai
23 July 2003
The opposition Goa Congress has demanded resignation of the
Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government, claiming
that it has been reduced to a minority government.
The ruling BJP has however flayed the demand, while declaring
that three ministers belonging to the regional outfit would
shortly join the saffron camp, to strengthen the government
further.
The confusion has begun in Goa, the tiny state known for
defections, with three ministers belonging to the Maharashtrawadi
Gomantak Party and the United Goans Democratic Party splitting
and forming their own groups.
"It is their internal party matter and all the five
legislators belonging to the four factions continue to support
me", claims chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
Though they split on 19 July by forming the UGDP (Secular),
the original party has produced letters and resolutions that
tourism minister Mickky Pacheco had resigned on 10 June while
town and country planning minister Babush Monseratte was expelled
on 18 July.
"They are de facto liable for disqualification, reducing
the government to minority", claims Goa PCC chief Luizinho
Faleiro.
The opposition Congress holds only 16 seats in the 40-member
Goa House while the ruling BJP has 18. The coalition government
was till date supported by five legislators of two regional
parties and one independent, five of whom are the ministers.
Laxmikant Parsekar, the local BJP chief, has meanwhile confirmed
that the three ministers - Pacheco and Monseratte of the UGDP
(S) and transport minister Pandurang Madkaikar of the MGP
(Nationalist) - would shortly join the BJP.
Claiming that there is nothing immoral in roping in defectors
into the party, Parsekar has even stated that all and anyone
is welcome in the party, no matter he defects the party or
not.
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