Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent
- More than three legislators threatening to resign
- Disgruntled MLAs likely to take things to the brink
- SGF secretly supporting the move
- BJP waiting in the wings to fish in troubled waters
Panaji, Jul 24: Amidst the strong refutations by the ruling government, the moves to destabilize the two-month-old Goa government had an impetus in the state.
Sources confirmed that more than three Congress legislators including Joaquim Alemao, Victoria Fernandes and Shyam Satardekar, have threatened to resign expressing displeasure over the functioning of the present government.
While Alemao is not happy over denial of Goa STate urban development Authority, a corporation, to his command, the rest of the legislators are vying for ministerial berth.
In a late Monday-night development, the group of Congress legislators, reportedly supported by Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and Save Goa front, decided to put down their papers dethroning Digamber Kamat-led government.
All through the day, the moves and counter-moves continued while the Goa state legialstive assembly was in session.
Goa chief minister Kamat, in a bid to save the finance bill from being defeated on the floor of the house, convened a meeting of all the supporting legislators. The chief minister later managed to clear the financial bill on the floor of the house, although the uncertainty continued.
The Congress-NCP combine enjoys support of 23 legislators including 16 congress, three NCP, two independents and two of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. If a chunk of Congress legislators resigns, it will bring the government down, which is surviving on the wafer-thin majority.
Sources confirmed that the Save Goa Front, a regional outfit launched by former congressman Churchill Alemao, has stood strongly behind the move by rendering its support.
The chief minister, however, has denied any element of instability. ``We are firm... Everything is a rumour,'' chief minister told reporters waiting outside his chamber.
The opposition BJP, however, confirmed the displeasure within the ruling coalition. "We will not let go any chance to form the government, if there is instability within the ruling coalition. We are not initiating any move,'' leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar stated.
Earlier report of the day: