Amid claims by the Congress that it had the numbers to form a government in Goa in the wake of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s continued ill health, BJP chief Amit Shah went into a huddle with the team of central observers who had visited Panaji to take stock of the situation.
The prognosis for the continuation of the BJP in Goa appeared to be complicated, as party leaders admitted that Mr. Parrikar was the glue that held the fragile coalition together. Nevertheless, while not sharing details of the report by the central observers — party general secretary Ram Lal and B.L. Santosh — leaders privy to the development were confident of holding onto power in the State.
MGP’s demand
Sources said that the report conveyed the assessment and feelings of the BJP and alliance MLAs, including the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party that demanded that its leader Sudin Dhavalikar be made Chief Minister. Alliance partners, including the Vijay Sardesai-led Goa Forward Party, have made it clear that they would not accept “just any BJP MLA” as Chief Minister in Mr. Parrikar’s stead.
Crisis for BJP
In such a situation, the names of Union Minister Shripad Naik has been making the rounds. The Congress’s claims of having majority support has created a crisis for the BJP in the State.
“We expect the BJP to retain power, but talks are still on over who could replace Parrikar,” said a source.
