Parrikar’s 9-member team sworn in amidst protest and boycott
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 14 March 2017 21:54 IST
Amidst people’s protest and boycott by top leaders of Goa Forward, Manohar Parrikar was sworn in as the chief minister for the fourth time today evening, along with nine cabinet colleagues.
He has still kept two berths vacant as he can induct up to 12 ministers in the cabinet.
Parrikar said he would seek trust vote on Thursday which would be followed by allotting the portfolios.
Seven among the total 10 ministers, including Parrikar, took oath in Konkani.
While Pandurang Madkaikar took oath in English, MGP ministers Sudin Dhawalikar and Babu Azgaonkar stuck to Marathi.
Following is the ministers’ line-up Parrikar has finalised:
Sudin Dhawalikar – MGP
Vijai Sardesai – GF
Francis D’Souza – BJP
Babu Azgaonkar – MGP
Rohan Khaunte – Independent
Pandurang Madkaikar – BJP
Govind Gaude – Independent
Vinod Palienkar – GF
Jayesh Salgaonkar – GF
After the swearing-in ceremony, Parrikar told the media that he would work out a Common Minimum Programme within a month and his government would last for the full term of five years.
BJP national president Amit Shah as well as union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari and J P Nadda flew down to attend the ceremony.
REVOLT BREWING IN GF
On the other hand, it is learnt that revolt is brewing within Goa Forward due to which Parrikar had to accommodate also Jayesh Salgaonkar in the cabinet.
Parrikar had reportedly earlier told his alliance partners that he would allot only two berths each to them.
Goa Forward party leaders were also not in favour of joining the BJP government, due to which Vijai Sardesai had to give a support letter of only the legislature party to the Governor.
Following this, Prabhakar Timble had resigned as the President though he had said that he would continue as the member, but not as the face of the party.
But neither Timble nor general secretary Mohandas Lolayekar and chief spokesperson Prashant Naik showed up their faces at the Raj Bhavan for the ceremony.
Sources told goanews.com that all of them decided to boycott the ceremony so that the message goes loud and clear while the party is meeting tomorrow to discuss Vijai’s decision to join the BJP-led government.
SOCIAL MEDIA PROTEST
The decision of smaller anti-BJP parties and independents joining the BJP-led government also upset the people, who tore down the BJP as well as the smaller parties on the social media, especially the Facebook and WhatsApp.
As a result of this, a message was circulated through social media to gather at NIO circle at Dona Paula to protest when the to-be-ministers and their supporters drive down to the Raj Bhavan.
Hundreds of people from different walks of life started gathering at the NIO circle from 3 pm onwards, with placards.
It also included some Congress workers and social activists, but large crowd among them were the common citizens.
Perhaps this is the first time people have reacted so loudly through the social media and also on the streets when this is not the first government which has been formed in an unethical manner.
I think take support from mgp and others improve Goa.
Sure !! the independent candidates should have supported the majority. On the other hand there were corrupt ministers in the winning list just come out of jails.
Congress should have introduced clean faces. Too late..
ask yourself - 'Can you or Vijay work with this gangsters...?'
AAP was supposed to give Rs.5,000/-for unemployed youth till he/she gets job.
AAP was supposed to give Rs.3,000/-for Housewives.
AAP was supposed to give Rs.3,000/-for Senior Citizens.
AAP was supposed to give Rs.2,00,000/-for each daughter of Goa.
AAP was supposed to give Free Water & Half Electricity Bills to Goans.
And above all AAP was supposed to give Corruption Free Governance.
But as Goans are very Smart, they rejected this offer of AAP and voted Congress & BJP.
Now Goans are very happy that Congress & BJP are ruling them.
Viva Goa – Viva Congress & BJP. Goans does not need honest AAP.
The struggle for political power in Goa in March 2017 had grown intense reaching at the doors of Supreme Court also where submission of Congress was not accepted. Floor test fixed for 16 March 2017 when Parkar of BJP has been successful. And now news is that a prominent Congress leader has left the Party. This Vedic astrology writer had alerted for more care and appropriate strategy in Goa as well in relation to political situation through hitherto well known article “ 2017 – an opportune year for India with major worrisome concerns in February-March and August-September” issued widely to Indian news media last year in October and November 2016. Just reproducing some parts : “ The months of February-March 2017 suggest some substantial concerns for the country. March looks to be in particular. Some parts …. Goa may also take more care and appropriate strategy. Some political leaders may likely be unwell or may break away”. So the message is unambiguous , though implied.