PANAJI, DECEMBER 13: Sworn in barely 20 days ago, the Fransisco Sardinha government in Goa is showing signs of panic. Reacting to rumours that the constituent members of the ruling Goan Democratic Alliance (GDA) could break away to join the Opposition Congress party, Sardinha has handed out corporations and statutory bodies to nearly every supporting legislator to prevent a split in his ranks.The ten-member Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) which is a partner in the government is the biggest beneficiary after Sardinha's Indian National Congress (FS). Three of its legislators, Digambar Kamat, Suresh Amonkar and Prakash Fadte, have been given the power, health and education ministries. Four others have been given chairmanships of the Khadi and Village Industries Development Corporation, Goa Handicrafts Corporaton, the Goa Industrial Development Corporation and the South Goa Planning and Development Authority. The largesse for the BJP comes just weeks after its leader Manohar Parrikar alleged that three of its legislators were offered money to break away and join the Congress party.The two-member Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) which is supporting the government from outside too has been rewarded. One of its legislators, Sudhin Dhavalikar has been given the chairmanship of the powerful Goa Economic Development Corporation which handles crores of rupees in loans to industries in the state.Sardinha has also acknowledged his gratitude to former chief minister and speaker Pratapsinh Rane who despite his strong Congress credentials proved invaluable in toppling the Luizinho Faleiro government. Rane's son Vishwajit, though not an elected representative in the Goa assembly, has been handed the chairmanship of the Tourism Development Corporation.The only Sardinha supporter who was ignored so far, former chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Wilfred D'Souza too has returned to the limelight by bagging the chairmanship of the Planning Commission with Cabinet rank. D'Souza's elevation came after he openly met with Congress leader of the Opposition Ravi Naik, ousted chief minister Luizinho Faleiro and former tourism minister Churchill Alemao.Sardinha immediately rushed to placate his ally who played an important role in garnering the requisite numbers in the November split by giving him the Planning Commission post. However political circles are agog with rumours that a Christmas eve surprise is on the cards with D'Souza taking over as the chief minister at the head of a Congress government.
