Attempt to topple
Govt thwarted
Sandesh Prabhudesai
24 July 2007
Amidst statewide rumour that urban development minister
Joaquim Alemao resigned along with four other Congressmen
to topple the government, chief minister Digambar Kamat today
succeeded in pacifying the situation and saving his one-month
old government for the time being.
Hectic activity was witnessed throughout the day with Joaquim
mobilising Victoria Fernandes, Babu Azgaonkar, Shyam Satardekar
and Francis Silveira, who reportedly threatened to resign.
Joaquim however late night dismissed it as mere rumour. "I
had minor administrative issues which were resolved after
discussing with the chief minister", he said.
Chief minister Kamat also termed it as an attempt by frustrated
elements in the opposition to defame his government.
Manohar Parrikar, the state opposition leader, denied his
hand behind the move. "My role begins only after the
government falls under its own weight", he said.
Churchill Alemao, the Save Goa Front leader, also denied
his hand. "I hope Joaquim has resolved his issues with
the chief minister", he added.
According to Joaquim, he was upset mainly because of the
Margao-based garbage treatment plant project, which was not
taking off in spite of work order being issued long ago due
to the bureaucratic hurdles.
"My second demand is that the issue of including Roman
script in the official language act be discussed in the cabinet",
he claimed.
He vehemently denied that he was upset because finance minister
Dayanand Narvekar was blocking his files as well as Kamat's
attempts to take over part of the land at Mungul in Margao,
earmarked for a truck terminus, to build a district hospital.
Sources however confirmed that Joaquim met the four MLAs
at the Raissa Chinese restaurant he owns in Margao. He and
Satardekar also reportedly sought permission from their supporters
to quit the party.
"Why should I take any such step when I refused the
offer of the post of deputy chief minister", asked Joaquim.
Both Satardekar and Silveira met the chief minister soon
after their reported meeting with Joaquim in Margao.
Kamat also held series of meeting with his partymen as well
as his coalition partners during and after the ongoing Assembly
session.
Today's session also was wrapped up by 6 pm without much
debate while Churchill and Victoria did not turn up in the
House.
Though it appears that the issue has been resolved, sources
close to Alemaos claim that a combination of Parrikar-Alemaos-Babush
are set to give a big surprise within few days.
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