BJP stakes claim, Sardinha refuses to step down

The Governor’s secretary admitted to The Indian Express that the Governor has received the resignation letters, a list of the eighteen BJP legislators, the support letter from an Independent MLA and Suresh Parulekar, the lone member left in the Shaikh Hassan group. The three BJP ministers in the coalition government were Digamber Kamat (Power), Suresh Amonkar (Health) and Prakash Phadte (Education).

Parrikar has also requested the Governor to take the decision withinforty eight hours in consideration of Diwali which falls on the 25th of this month. Parrikar later claimed that another four MLAs are also in touch with him to support his government and that he would accept this support if required. Tomorrow, the Union Minister for Information Technology Pramod Mahajan is expected to arrive in Goa to oversee the development and ensure BJP’s success.

Meanwhile, Sardinha also called on the Governor and maintained that he stillenjoys majority in the House and that he should be given the opportunityto prove this majority. Later, at a press conference, Sardinha expressedthe hope that the Governor would give him this opportunity. “BJP has ditched me and has shown its true colours,” he said claiming that he had good relations with the BJP.

The lone NCP member Dr Wilfred D’Souza also met the Governor and requestedhim to resolve this tangle on the floor of the House only. The present strength in the House : BJP(18), Goan People’s Congress (11), MGP (2),Shaikh Hassan faction (1), INC (including Speaker) (6)

HORSE TRADING IN FULL SWING :
Attempts are on to win back all the MLAs who changed over to the BJP. They are being allured back to Sardinha fold with promises of being given ministership together with immediate bait in lakhs. With uncertainty over the date for show of strength in the House, the stakes are high. However, Sardinha’s attempts may be in vain as the chief Minister’s camp may still be further deserted as Parrikar is opening his camp for four more deserters who have maintained contact with him.