Eight MLAs met yesterday in a show of solidarity of the group and to warn the high command not to drop any present ministers, especially the NCP ministers. The under currents for this action is not difficult to read. Recent times saw many a news (rumours?) of mid-term legislative assembly elections. The basis: Big wins for Congress in the ZP elections (Jan 2010) and Municipal elections (Nov 2010), wherein BJP was vanquished. Digu has denied any such possibility. But he may force it through the High Command, which has before it a report stating that Congress will win 25-30 seats, if elections are held now. Congress and Digu have always been wanting to get rid of what is known as the 20/21 impasse, where the government's survival is vulnerable to defection of a few RAJAs in the 40 member assembly. Churchills and Babushes have been using the wafer thin majority to blackmail Digu (just as Raja did to the PM) and the High Command and to extract their pound of flesh. If the Congress wins 25 seats, CM does not have to fear any group because at least 11 need to resign/defect to topple the govt. This is precisely what the Churchill and Babushes do not want. They want Congress to win only 17/20 seats, so that they can be the King Makers, where King bows to King Maker. The new G-8 meeting is nothing to do with sacking any ministers, but to give a vieled threat to Digu (rather his advisers: miners and builders), that in the event mid-term polls are pursued, we shall regroup (Save Goas, Indpendents, revitalize UGDPs etc) in a manner that Congress does not win majority. This is serious threat to Digu's aspirations for the CM's chair. If he does not win even majority despite the projection of 25/30 seats based on ZP/Municipal elections, Madam is bound to hold him responsible for the debacle and dump him. But Save Goas is a second option for the new G-8. Four Alemaos are being planned in the next assembly: Navelim, Cuncolim, Benaulim and Sanguem. And still if CM's chair eludes, it is unbecoming of a seasoned politician. Their priority therefore is to achieve the "20/21 impasse" while remaining with Congress. But remaining with Congress means thumping majority for Congress. The only way out is to bring about the sacking of Dhavlikars. If MG is distanced from Congress, it is obvious they would align with the BJP, a single develoment that can reduce congress seats significantly in the next assembly. The prospects for Digu's aspirations for CM's chair are pretty fragile. ZP/Muniipal data is firmly entrenched in Madam's mind. Any substandard performance by Congress would be viewed as Digu's personal liability of alienating people of Goa in a bid to help miner/builder lobby. This is in response to Navhind Times report: 8 state MLAs warn high commands against dropping ministers
Story Summary: Eight MLAs and ministers of the state government held a late-night meeting on Wednesday at the residence of GPCC general secretary, Mr Vijay Sardessai. MARGAO: Eight MLAs and ministers of the state government held a late-night meeting on Wednesday at the residence of GPCC general secretary, Mr Vijay Sardessai. The PWD Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao, the Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao, the Panchayat Minister, Mr Manohar Azgaonkar, the Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza, the Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate, the Tourism Minister, Mr Nilkanth Halarnkar and MLAs, Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar and Mr Alex Reginaldo Lourenco attended the meeting. The meeting was a show of solidarity of the group and meant to be a warning to the high commands of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party not to drop any present ministers, especially the NCP ministers. The meeting was held after hints were thrown by the national general secretary of NCP’s women’s wing, Ms Bharati Chavan who came down to Goa on Tuesday to take part in the function held to celebrate the birthday of NCP national president, Mr Sharad Pawar. Mr Churchill Alemao told the media that they would not allow the dropping of present NCP ministers as "they are doing good work." The present government has two NCP ministers, the Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza and the Tourism Minister, Mr Nilkant Halarnkar. Mr D’Souza said, "We are united. We will not allow any of our members to be touched." He said that if any of them is dropped, it would risk the continuity of the government. Mr Kavlekar came and left early after attending the meet. According to sources, there could be other MLAs also who are supporting the group. Mr D’Souza has been under pressure after his alleged assault on ex-tourism minister, Mr Franciso Xavier Pacheco and was stripped of the presidentship of the NCP party. There were also rumours that he was to be dropped from the cabinet. Earlier, Mr Pacheco was dropped from the cabinet after the death of his "friend" Nadia Torrado and he has been pushing to regain his ministerial spot.
