Panaji, March 15 (IANS) The Goa Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has authorised Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to meet the Congress central leadership to sort out differences between the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and other parties which are constituents of the state's coalition government.
At a CLP meeting held at the chief minister's residence Monday, it was said the party would not give in to the strong-arm tactics of the coalition partners. These are believed to have formed a pressure group within the government called "G-7" or "Group 7".
"We have formally asked the chief minister to meet the Congress high command and discuss this issue� The Congress is on a much better wicket as can be seen from the Zilla Panchayat election results, we can go for polls if needed," CLP spokesperson Mauvin Godinho said.
The coalition government comprising the Congress, the NCP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and two Independent legislators came to power in 2007 under the leadership of Kamat. During this period there have been several attempts to dislodge him.
"G-7" which comprises of three NCP legislators, two MGP MLAs and the two Independents, also includes Speaker Pratapsing Rane's son, Vishwajeet, who has often served as the spokesperson for the pressure group.
"G-7", along with Congress legislators like former chief minister Churchill Alemao and other Congress MLAs, has been seeking to topple Kamat over issues ranging from non-performance to the state's alleged bankruptcy.
Incidentally, five members of the "G-7" are cabinet ministers in the government.
"The NCP has violated the coalition dharma. The 'G-7' members are with the government and they say they are keeping their options open too. What does this mean. Is this how a coalition government is supposed to function?" Godinho asked.
Political surprises and instability are not new to Goa which has seen several changes in the government over the last couple of decades. The state has seen 17 chief ministers between 1990 and 2007.
The 40-member unicameral legislature comprises of 18 legislators from the Congress. The BJP has 14 MLAs, the NCP 3, the MGP 2, unattached UGDP has one legislator, and there are two Independents.