Key ally to back BJP govt ‘with or without’ Parrikar

Panaji, October 15

A key ally of the ruling BJP in Goa today said the government in the state should continue “with or without” the ailing Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister.

The remarks came on a day the BJP legislature party met here without Parrikar, after which the state unit president Vinay Tendulkar ruled out change of the Chief Minister.

Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai said BJP chief Amit Shah called him this afternoon to discuss the political situation in Goa.

“Amit Shah spoke to me and I have said no to mid-term polls. With or without Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister, this government should continue,” said Sardesai. Parrikar returned to his home state last night after being discharged from Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) where he was admitted for a pancreatic ailment since September 15.

The 62-year-old leader is now undergoing treatment at his private residence at Dona Paula near here, where a team of doctors from the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) have set up make-shift medical facility.

“The chief minister is recovering now. He will take rest for two days, before meeting party office-bearers and government officials,” Tendulkar said after the meeting of the BJP legislature party. Tendulkar, along with BJP’s state general secretary Sadanand Tanavade, also met Parrikar Monday at the latter’s residence.

Queried about a change of leadership, the state BJP president said: “Why do you need a leadership change? The CM is for five years.” The Parrikar government has the support of 23 MLAs —14 BJP MLAs, three each from the GFP and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, and three Independents. — PTI

Goa BJP’s old website hacked 

• An old website of the BJP’s Goa unit was hacked on Monday by some persons, who posted the message “Pakistan Zindabad” on it, a party functionary said
• The identity of the group which possibly carried out the cyber attack “Team PCE” and an individual’s name “Mohammad Bilal” were also posted on the web page 
• However, the BJP has integrated its state units with the new website, which remained unharmed