MARGAO: Expressing displeasure over the supposed move of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to welcome Vishwajit Rane into the BJP, Goa Forward Party leader and cabinet minister Vijai Sardesai Thursday said that it is incorrect to get Congress leaders into BJP, as that would lower the dignity of BJP.
Speaking to the media in Margao on the sidelines of Margao Shigmo Utsav committee function, he said, “Importing Congress MLAs into BJP is incorrect. If it is done, then what would be the difference between BJP and Congress?” he asked.
When media persons further asked Sardesai whether he has demanded any specific portfolio from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, he told the media to wait for a day.
Stating that his support to the BJP-led government was unconditional, Sardesai said, “We assured our support only under Manohar Parrikar’s leadership, as he has the contacts at the central level and can rightly bring in central government funds for Goa for development. On the other hand, the alternative (Congress) was a messy house. The Congress party is overloaded with leaders and ambitious people. Today, within three to four days, the party has lost one MLA.”
Valpoi bypoll within 6 months
PANAJI: With the resignation of Congress legislator Vishwajit Rane, the state chief electoral office will now forward the resignation letter to the Election Commission of India to hold by-election to fill up the vacant post in Valpoi assembly constituency within six months. The state chief electoral office has confirmed receiving the resignation letter from Vishwajit informing about his resignation from the post of member of legislative assembly on Thursday evening.
Earlier, Rane walked out of the assembly session after taking the oath, in a way helping Manohar Parrikar to win the trust vote and later resigned from the assembly. “We have received the resignation letter from Vishwajit Rane and it will be forwarded to the Election Commission of India to hold bypoll to fill up the vacancy of Valpoi constituency. The vacancy needs to be filled up within six months from the date of resignation,” joint chief electoral officer Navti said. NT
Vishwajit’s resignation not based on our assurance: BJP
PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday denied having carried out any discussion, including any kind of assurances to Vishwajit Rane.
State president of BJP Vinay Tendulkar told this daily that his party did not hold any talks with Vishwajit, who resigned from the membership of the state legislative assembly as well as the primary membership of the Congress party.
“His resignation is definitely not based on any of our assurances,” he said.
Earlier, talking to media in the assembly complex, Tendulkar said, “We have seen one Congress MLA remain absent during vote of confidence and in future another four to five Congress MLA may go out from the party.” Meanwhile, state BJP spokesperson Sadanand Tanavade said that anyone who desires to support the BJP government is welcome. “If Vishwajit wants to be re-elected and support the BJP government, then we can’t possibly refuse his support,” he said, while declining to say if Vishwajit will re-contest as the BJP candidate. NT
Cong condemns Vishwajit’s act
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief spokesperson Ramakant Khalap Thursday slammed Vishwajit Rane for walking out of the House during the trust vote on the floor of the House and for his resignation as an MLA and as a member of the Congress party.
“Vishwajit Rane has raised a bitter toast to democracy, he has upheld in his own unique fashion the great democratic tradition which never existed,” said Khalap.
He said that 16 MLAs of the Congress party including Poriem MLA Pratapsing Rane met after the assembly proceedings and passed a unanimous resolution condemning this act of Rane and decided to file disqualification petition against him.
Khalap said that his resignation from the assembly as an MLA has sullied not only his own image but also sullied the fair name of his illustrious father and has brought shame to the great family of Ranes, known for ages all over the country. “Over 50 years Rane’s family enjoyed respect, love and admiration of the people of Goa. Vishwajit behaved in such a manner, which probably may force his parents to disown him,” said Khalap.
“The manner in which he defied the whip and the manner in which he walked out of the House and later submitted his resignation explain the menace level to which a member of the House can reach,” Khalap said.
Congress party condemned Rane’s behaviour and said that the grassroots workers of the party and the office bearers of Valpoi block have expressed displeasure and anger. “We all are angry; though this blow is a severe blow, in days to come, we will overcome it, put our forces together and defeat such inimical terms, behaviour and virtually tyrannical attitude of MLAs like Vishwajit,” he said.
Criticising BJP for not following democratic tradition, Khalap said that BJP has not strengthened the democracy but they have weakened it by overturning the mandate. “BJP has twisted the mandate and ran away with the crown which does not belong to them; Parrikar dissents in every sense from high position as Defence Minister to the gully politics and rides roughshod over the mandate,” said Khalap.
When questioned whether the party will initiate disciplinary action against Vishwajit, Khalap said, “If sitting MLA defies the whip, it attracts disqualification and disqualification petition can be filed against Vishwajit before the Speaker, but he appears to pre-empt the situation by submitting his resignation and the Speaker accepted it. Legally, he may wriggle out from the sword of disqualification against his head but that is only constitutional provision he may wriggle out. As far as democratic norms are concerned, he stands disqualified.”
Khalap said that with all recent developments in Goan politics, the Congressmen are not down and out but they will bounce back, fight back and emerge victorious.
Reacting to Vishwajit’s resignation and his absence during the floor test in the House, Taleigao Congress MLA Jennifer Monserrate said, “I am speechless. I don’t know what to say, we never expected this to happen.” When questioned whether she would resign, she said, “I don’t know who is spreading these rumours. I am with the Congress party.” NT