BJP ally in Goa 'working on Plan B for political stability'

Turning the heat on the Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government in Goa, its ally Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Wednesday said it is working on a "Plan B" to ensure political stability, irrespective of the fact which party heads the new dispensation in the state. "Plan B is 100 per cent ready. Goa will not have stability if it is not done. Does Goa need a stable government or not? Irrespective of the party which leads (the government), do people need stability or not? Why do people elect us? For stability or to have a tottering government, which may fall any day?" GFP president and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said.

The veiled threat was made by Sardesai while interacting with reporters at the state secretariat, days after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and Deputy Speaker in the Assembly Michael Lobo said the government would be in a crisis if Parrikar steps down as the Chief Minister. Another ruling-coalition ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), has announced its plans to contest upcoming two Assembly by-elections against the BJP.

Sardesai said even Parrikar, currently undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer at New Delhi's AIIMS, does not have answers to the political chaos playing out in the state. "I have put this question to the Chief Minister. I feel even he does not understand it. He is in the dark. It is high time people who lead the state have answers to pertinent questions being put up by the people," Sardesai said.

Claiming that he has been "more loyal" to Parrikar than BJP legislators, Sardesai said he needs clarity on the MGP's plan to contest by-elections, which would render the government unstable. "When allies are fighting each other, it is a clear signal to the people that the government is not speaking in one voice...that we are not united. What is the next thing after disunity? It is the collapse of the government," he said.

Both BJP and Congress have 14 MLAs in the 40-member Goa Assembly. The BJP is supported by three MLAs each of the GFP and the MGP, two Independents and one Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA. One Independent MLA withdrew support to the coalition government in September last year.