From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 16: Goa unit of NCP on Tuesday came out in support of former state tourism minister Mickey Fransisco Pacheco saying they are with the legislator in his tough time.

"Mickey will have to give agni pariksha by facing law. The party is with him," NCP Goa spokesman Avinash Bhonsle said.  Commenting on the issue for the first time NCP's local leaders have said that they are with their legislator, who is going through tough times now.

"We are with him on this issue. Even Sita had to give agni pariksha. Mickey will have to give agni pariksha by facing the law. He cannot escape the law," Bhonsle said.

Pacheco is on the run as Crime Branch probing Nadia Torrado's death has named him as an accused in the case.

Bhonsle said that Pacheco has been targeted by few Congress leaders from South Goa after his success in holding massive NCP convention in his village.

"Salcette taluka (where the convention was held) is a Congress bastion. The local leaders were baffled looking at the response for NCP there," he alleged.

NCP also demanded that Nilkant Halarnkar, party legislator inducted in the Cabinet in place of Pacheco, be given the same portfolios which Pacheco held before he stepped down due to controversy surrounding Nadia's death.

"Congress has to adhere to coalition dharma. These portfolios were given to NCP as a part of coalition and Halarnkar should get them," he said.

Pacheco was holding tourism, port and housing board portfolios.