MLAs and core committee members of Goa BJP, on Saturday, 16 March, met to discuss the political situation arising due to the health condition of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, saw his health deteriorate earlier in the day; sparking hectic political activities across parties in the coastal state.
A senior BJP office-bearer who attended the meeting in Panaji, chaired by the state unit chief and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar, said the political situation was discussed but not the question of leadership change.
Goa Panchayat Minister and BJP MLA Mauvin Godinho said the meeting discussed preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha and by-polls as well as "other challenges" facing the state.
Godinho said Parrikar's health was also discussed.
What Had Happened Earlier
Earlier in the day, after the Congress had dispatched a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha, to stake claim to form the government, the BJP had swung into action to discuss its next course of action. According to the Indian Express, Deputy Speaker and BJP leader Michael Lobo said,
Parrikar ji has been quite unwell since last night. Our doctors are keeping close watch. Aur aise nahi bol pa rahe ki woh theek ho jayenge. Isliye emergency meeting rakha tha ki aagey strategy kya honi chahiye (Doctors are unable to tell us if he will get better. So an emergency was called to discuss the strategy to go forward).Michael Lobo to the Indian Express
The Indian Express also reported that after Congress’ letter to her, Governor Sinha had not yet given the party an appointment, but did meet BJP’s organising secretary Satish Dhond later in the evening.
The Congress is currently the single-largest party in the state with 14 MLAs, while the BJP has 13 legislators.
‘Did Not Discuss Leadership Change’
After the meeting, Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant said,
The BJP is aware that the Chief Minister’s condition is not well. Some of our party leaders had met him during the day. Concerns about his health were raised.
Goa Power Minister Nilesh Cabral asserted that the meet did not deliberate on the leadership change issue:
The CM is there and he is strong. So there is no reason to discuss leadership change.
Six MLAs, allies in the BJP-led Goa government, had met Parrikar earlier in the day and extended support to him. One of them, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai had told reporters,
The CM’s health has deteriorated, but he is stable. He is not on life support. I don’t know what medical term we can use for it. The Chief Minister’s Office has said he is stable, so we will take it that he is stable.
(With inputs from PTI)
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