In Parrikar's absence, MGP veteran and PWD minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar will be the leader of the house and urban development minister Francis D’Souza will lead the BJP legislature party
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s prolonged absence from Goa may lead to political instability, fear BJP leaders. Parrikar, who is recuperating from a pancreatic disorder in a Mumbai hospital, is however likely to attend the Goa assembly’s session on Thursday, when the budget will be tabled.
In the 2017 Goa assembly elections, the BJP could get just 13 legislators elected as against the Congress’ 17. However, it came to power after smaller parties like the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward, (three MLAs each) and three independents supported it on the condition that Parrikar — the then defence minister - return as the chief minister.
“Parrikar is recovering. However, if he takes a long break from office, it may create a political churn,” admitted a BJP legislator while speaking to DNA. He said their Achilles heel was lack of a strong second-rung in the government with party veterans including then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar being trounced at the hustings.
Parrikar, who is the BJP’s first chief minister in Goa is in his fourth term, is credited with reaching out to the around 25% Catholic minority in the coastal state. “This is not just about a second-rung. It is about managing the pressures of a coalition,” stressed another MLA. The BJP has six Christian MLAs in Goa.
In Parrikar’s absence, MGP veteran and PWD minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar will be the leader of the house and urban development minister Francis D’Souza will lead the BJP legislature party.
While the name of Union minister of state Shripad Naik is doing the rounds, a BJP MLA claimed they may consider a merger of the MGP into the BJP and elevating Dhavalikar in a senior leadership role with things being “clear in 8-10 days.”
Leader of the opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, while wishing Parrikar a recovery, admitted it was necessary for people to be updated about his health.
“The impact of Parrikar’s absence on the government and governance is huge,” admitted Congress legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco.
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