Parrikar bows down; not to induct Alina 'now'
PTI, PANAJI | 08 May 2012 22:03 ISTGoa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said he has deferred the induction of Alina Saldanha, wife of a former minister, into state cabinet, respecting the Election Commission of India's decision.
The ECI asked Goa government to put on hold the move because of a coming bypoll in which she is a contestant.
Parrikar said he was not going ahead with the induction of Alina, widow of former Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha, although he has a right to do so under Constitution of India.
Alina would be inducted after the June 2 Cortalim bypoll where she would be contesting on a BJP ticket, he said.
The by-poll was necessitated following the death of Matanhy Saldanha while he was serving as a Tourism Minister of the state.
"I have a right under Constitution of India to swear in anyone in the state cabinet. But I have decided not to swear-in any minister till the byelection as a respect to the Election Commission of India," Parrikar told reporters today.
Right to Information (RTI) activist Aires Rodrigues had filed a complaint with the EC against state government's decision to induct Alina ahead of Cortalim bypoll.
ECI secretary Bernard John, in a letter to Parrikar last night, said "the Commission respects the constitutional right of the Chief Minister to constitute his cabinet at any time."
"However, in view of the model code of conduct being in force and the widely prevalent perception that a prospective candidate is sought to be inducted, the said advisory has been issued by the Election Commission of India to ensure that a level-playing field is maintained in keeping with the spirit of the code," the letter mentioned.
Not a great start to Alina Saldanha`s stint in Goan Politics.However with this new outcome, there may be a silver lining somewhere.