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Goa rebels stick to their stand

Prakash Kamat

PANAJI: After two days of hectic political activities, the political front in the State witnessed a lull on Friday, with the venue of the negotiations for resolving the two-day-long crisis gripping the Congress-led government having shifted to New Delhi.

According to sources in the Congress, the party was finding it difficult to meet the major demand of the rebels about Ministerial berths to two of them. With a cap of 12 on Ministerial positions, this meant removing two Congress Ministers; this could trigger a fresh internal revolt for the beleaguered Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat.

The seven-month-old government plunged into a crisis on Wednesday for the second time after three NCP MLAs, including two Ministers and Independent Vishwajeet Rane, decided to resign from the Cabinet and later withdrew support.

The group of rebels subsequently swelled to nine — NCP 3, independent 1, MGP 2, SGF 1, unattached 1 and Congress 1.

Explanation sought

On the Congress front, there was little activity except a show-cause notice issued by the party to its legislator, Shyam Satardekar, who is huddled with the rebels. The party has sought an explanation from him for remaining away from the Assembly proceedings on Wednesday, which later culminated in the crisis.

Recall Governor: BJP

The BJP continued its tirade against Governor S.C. Jamir on Friday and demanded his immediate recall for failing to abide by the Constitution while proroguing the Assembly on Thursday.

Addressing journalists here on Friday, Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar said the events of the last two days amply proved that the Congress-led coalition government was in a minority and had to be dismissed.

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