Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 17: The State of Goa is going through political uncertainty and confusion since the time chief minister Manohar Parrikar was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi to treat his pancreatic ailment.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has been silent over entire administrative and governance mess in the State due to frequent absenteeism of the chief minister and sickness of two more ministers – Pandurang Madkaikar and Francis D’Souza – has suddenly woken up from the slumber.

BJP national president Amit Shah had commissioned three member team to take the stock of the political situation in the State. The team which held series of meetings on Sunday and Monday has assured the alliance partners – Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents – that they would be taken into confidence before arriving at any decision.

BJP has publicly refused that the entire exercise is for change of leadership by replacing another face as chief minister, but the party insiders confirm that the entire exercise was to search for alternative.

GFP president Vijai Sardesai has been emerging as front runner in the race but with the rider that he should merge his three year old party into BJP. Sardesai seems to have refused to merge the party but has asked BJP to provide permanent solution for the problem.

What is interesting is that BJP national president Amit Shah himself has bestowed faith in Sardesai.

Another contender for the post is MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar who has apparently agreed to merge his party into BJP. But the members of oldest regional party are unwilling for the same. This has stopped his run to the post.

Moreover, Sardesai has disagreed to work under Dhavalikar, with whom he has inherent differences.

The BJP has not been able to search CM face within its party-fold as leader like Francis D’Souza who could have succeeded Parrikar is currently ailing and treated in the USA.

The party is also not in a position to explore the possibility of elevating speaker of Legislative Assembly Pramod Sawant to the chair of chief minister as it might be risking the government by doing so.

The Congress on the other hand has continued pressing to State Governor asking for a chance to form the government as they are single largest political party in the State.

Congress’ leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar has feared that the state government might dissolve the assembly resulting in the fresh elections along with the parliamentary polls.

Goa remained to be politically fluid state with all concentration now being on Delhi which will take the call on replacing Parrikar.