Faleiro to seek trust vote on Nov 24

PANAJI, Nov 20 (PTI) — The Congress appears to have cooked its own goose by expelling four ministers and the Deputy Speaker for anti-party activities leading to a revolt by another six MLAs reducing its ministry in Goa to a minority.

Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro today expressed happiness on being "given a chance" to prove his majority in the state Assembly on November 24, but all that he could say on his prospects was "wait and watch."

Mr Faleiro confirmed that a decision to expel four ministers and the Deputy Speaker had been taken at the November 18 meeting of the introspection committee set up by the Congress high command and headed by Mr A.K. Anthony, at Mumbai.

Letters expelling Mr Francisco Sardinha, leader of the breakaway group, Mr Dayanand Narvekar, Mr Somnath Zuwarkar, Mr Subhash Shirodkar, (all ministers) and Mr Alex Sequeira, Deputy Speaker, from the primary membership of the party were sent to them by courier after his return from Mumbai, Mr Faleiro said.

Mr Faleiro was called by the Governor to Raj Bhawan late last night after the breakaway group, led by Health Minister Francisco Sardinha, met the Governor and staked its claim to form a new government, Raj Bhavan sources said.

In an attempt to exploit the situation, the BJP was quick to announce its support to Mr Sardinha, who also got the backing of the MGP and NCP, for a clear cut majority in the 40-member house.

While the BJP claimed that it was extending its support to spare people of the state another round of elections, the Congress accused its principal adversary of "playing tricks" to divide the party and making a backdoor entry to power.

Mr Sardinha after meeting the Governor, said he proposed to head a coalition government with the support of the BJP and other non-Congress parties.

In the 40-member state legislative assembly, the Congress had a strength of 26 whereas the opposition BJP had 10 legislators, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party two and Nationalist Congress Party and independent one each.

BJP spokesman Venkaiah Naidu, when asked whether his party would join an alternative government, told the PTI in Delhi "It will be decided later. First this government should go."

UNI adds: Mr Francisco Sardinha, who staked his claim to form a new government in Goa after splitting the Congress Legislative Party today said, the party high command Rampered Mr Luizinho Faleiro ignoring the need for a proper collective leadership.

A staunch Congressman and a former Lok Sabha MP, Mr Sardinha told reporters here that the party leaders in Delhi ignored the advice of several senior Congress leaders on prevailing ground realities in the state particularly after the party suffered a major debacle in the recent Lok Sabha elections when it lost both the seats in Goa to the BJP.

Mr Sardinha alleged that Mr Luizinho Faleiro engineered defections in other parties to reduce the importance of senior Congressmen in the party.

People like Mr Ramakant Khalap and Mr Suresh Parulekar, known turncoats, were imposed on the party and the government to sidetrack those committed to the party in Goa, he added.

Meanwhile, Angelo’s Resort a wayside tourist spot at Sangolda in Bardez has shot into prominence with several MLAs sheltered in this hotel away from possible kidnappers.

A strong posse of policemen are guarding the hotel’s entrance. A spokesman for Mr Francisco Sardinha said this was necessary as there could be a move to kidnap some MLAs supporting the new combination.

The BJP MLAs have also taken necessary precautions till the Luizinho Faleiro government seeks a trust vote on November 24.

Mr Churchill Alemao, Goa’s Tourism Minister, and his team attending the world tourism meet in London, have cut short their tour and are returning either today or tomorrow.