from Special Correspondent
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jan 21: A group of Congress legislators today rushed to Delhi as hectic lobbying began in the national capital to make way for the induction of one amongst the dissident legislator into the cabinet.
A compromised formula worked out by Congress and NCP high command to save the seven-month-old Digamber Kamat-led government has reportedly promised a cabinet berth to Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party legislator Ramakrishna Dhavalikar. This would force the Congress to drop one of its minister, which has created panic in the Congress camp.
Congress-led Goa cabinet has 12 berths which are shared amongst the Congress (eight), NCP (two), Save Goa Front (one) and independent Vishwajeet Rane.
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party, which had deserted coalition during July last year, had declared its support to the government on Saturday.
Congress leaders including power minister Alexio Sequira, water resources minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, urban development minister Joaquim Alemao along with alliance partner public works department minister Churchill Alemao rushed to Delhi.
Also legislators from dissident group including United Goans Democratic party unattached legislator Atanasio Monserratte, Save Goa Front legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco have joined another dissident group led by Vishwajeet Rane in Delhi today. Rane had left for Delhi on Saturday January 19.
The seven month old Digamber Kamat government plunged into crisis on January 16 when NCP along with independent legislator had withdrawn support to the government. The coup got thickened with the support of United Goans Democratic party unattached legislator Atanasio Monserratte.
Although NCP and congress high command have declared resolution of crisis and compromise formula, there was no clarity on what is decided to woo back the dissident.
Sources confirmed that the leaders have agreed to strip off finance portfolio from Congress veteran Dayanand Narvekar, Home from Ravi Naik and public works department portfolio from Save Goa Front leader Churchill Alemao.
These were the main demands of the dissident legislators, who had refused to budge if these issues are not settled.