Panaji: All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Girish Chodankar on Sunday criticised Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for attending the swearing-in ceremony of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, leaving the issues being faced by the State.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Mr. Chodankar said, “ I am surprised that in spite of having several issues at hand in Goa, Mr. Parrikar has gone to attend the swearing-in of Mr. Adityanath, who is known for his controversial statements against the minorities.”
He referred to road accidents, licence to liquor outlets and casinos, and portfolio allocation as some of the issues facing the new government. On the defamation case filed against him by the BJP, Mr. Chodankar said he will fight it out.
The AICC secretary said Governor Mridula Sinha should resign with a call of her conscience over her decision on March 12 to summon the BJP to form a government. “When our delegation met her last week, we observed her body language. She had no eye contact with any of our leaders. I felt that she is now talking to her inner conscience. I am feeling sorry for her.”
“She seems to be a very innocent lady. I have full respect for her. I feel she has been pressured to do something against her own wish,” he said.
The Congress has alleged that the Governor should have invited the party to form a government as it emerged the largest single party in the February 4 elections with 17 out of 40 seats as against 13 of the BJP. The Congress also raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha last week.
