Panaji, Nov 28 (TOI): President of Goa state Congress party Girish Chodankar, who held a day-long hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Tuesday, said that they would go to the people’s court beginning on November 30 to demand restoration of governance in the state. He said the people of Goa have suffered for nine months since chief minister Manohar Parrikar fell sick, and hence they cannot wait for more time.

“Goa needs a fulltime CM,” he said.

Stating that the protest in the form of hunger strike has been called off, Chodankar said that the new phase of agitation will be launched taluka-wise from Bicholim bus stand on Friday. The next protest for restoration fo governance in Goa would be held in Pernem market before taking a break for a few days, he added.

Extending support to social activist Trajano D’mello, Chodankar said the court battle will continue simultaneously. The high court of Bombay at Goa has asked the chief secretary to file a reply on the question of maintainability of D’Mello’s petition seeking a health report of the chief minister.

Several Congress functionaries, including former chief minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, St Cruz MLA Antonio (Tony) Fernandes and others joined Chodankar at Azad Maidan.

Chodankar said that RTI activist Rajan Ghate has announced that he has withdrawn his hunger strike. He was admitted to GMC on the 10th day of his hunger strike on Monday, where he called it off.

Ghate gave up the fast in the hospital on Tuesday evening on health grounds.

He said that he would continue to agitate once he recovers until there is restoration of governance in the state. Ghate is still admitted in the hospital.