Sardinha refuses to step down
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 22 October 2000 15:41 ISTThe political crisis in Goa has precipitated with chief minister Francisco Sardinha refusing to step down after the Bharatiya Janata Party, his coalition partner, today formally withdrew support to the 11-month old government.
"I can muster a majority of 22 on the floor of the House", said Sardinha, who air-dashed from his Australia tour today afternoon. The minimum requirement is 21 in the 40-member House to gain majority.
The CM also met governor Mohammed Fazal, requesting him to convene a session within five days for the floor test. "I need some time since I was not here all these days", he told the journalists before leaving for Raj Bhavan.
Contrary to Sardinha's claim, the 18-member strong BJP (with yesterday's induction of eight entrants from the two Congress splinter groups) met the governor along with three other legislators belonging to two parties, making it 21.
They have requested the governor to convene a session by 24 October, taking into account Diwali festivities beginning from the 25th. Eyes are now set on the Raj Bhavan as the special session would decide Sardinha's fate.
"Independent MLA Isidore Fernandes will also come with us", claims BJP leader Manohar Parrikar, who is tipped to be the chief minister. Fernandes, who was however seen with Sardinha, said he would support any government that comes to power.
While all the three BJP ministers formally resigned today by personally handing over resignation letters to the governor, the BJP also staked claim to form the government.
Two members of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Suresh Parulekar, the sole remaining MLA of the Congress splinter group left behind after his four colleagues joined the BJP, also submitted letters to the governor, supporting the BJP-led government.
Besides this, four more Congressmen led by opposition leader Ravi Naik had split and joined the BJP yesterday. It also includes former union minister Ramakant Khalap, who has split for the second time in last one year.
While the BJP has already sought clearance from the central leadership to stake claim, information technology minister Pramod Mahajan is arriving here tomorrow to work out rest of the modalities, including the cabinet size and other related issues.
"Four more legislators have also approached us to join the BJP", says Parrikar, while declining to disclose which camp they belong to. The decision in this regard is left to Mahajan. If agreed, it would have 12 defectors in the then 22-member saffron party.
Sardinha, who flays the rumour that four of his colleagues are planning to join the BJP, accuses the saffron party of backstabbing and sidestabbing. "They came with bad intention and showed their real colours when time came", he adds.
Parrikar however counters Sardinha's allegation of withdrawing support for grabbing power, claiming that the BJP had only three ministers out of 10, against all the 11 in Sardinha's group snatching cabinet berths in the coalition government.
