Pacheco’s volte face,says not interested in Goa Cabinet berth

Pacheco said he has conveyed his disinterest in the Cabinet berth to the party high command.

In a complete volte-face,NCP legislator and former state tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco today said he is not interested in getting inducted into the Goa Cabinet.

Talking to PTI after meeting NCP supremo Sharad Pawar,Pacheco said he has conveyed his disinterest in the Cabinet berth to the party high command and would instead continue working for the party in the state.

“I have a great confidence in my leaders and want to work for the party in Goa,” said Pacheco,who had threatened to quit the party demanding his induction in the cabinet,earlier this month.

Pacheco was camping in Delhi since last three days and held two rounds of talks with Pawar over the Goa issues. Few of the State Executive committee members also accompanied the former Goa tourism minister in the talks.

The State Executive earlier had threatened to resign en-mass demanding ministerial position to Pacheco,who had to quit after his name cropped up in a murder case.

Pacheco said he told the party chief how Congress-led government was “ill-treating ” NCP in Goa.

“The High command has made note of the problems and has assured to intervene in the matter,” he said.

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The legislator on Tuesday had said the NCP was mulling the possibility of withdrawing from the state government and decision in this regard would be taken in Wednesday meeting.

However,sources said the Delhi meeting did not discuss the withdrawal issue.

The NCP leader was tipped to be inducted in the cabinet in December last year by dropping both the party ministers. But his plans were scuttled after both the ministers revolted against the party high command refusing to step down.

The Congress party too supported the beleaguered NCP ministers refusing to induct Pacheco despite Pawar requesting for the same.