BJP dismisses 'misleading' news item attributed to Goa Power Minister

Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday dismissed the "misleading" news item attributed to state Power Minister Nilesh Cabral, stating 'Goa Forward Party (GFP) leader Vijay Sardesai's views on new Chief Minister is out of personal interest' while saying that the party is fully committed to "coalition dharma".

BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar, in a statement, said: "BJP president Amit Shah had summoned leaders of both the coalition partners Sudin Dhavalikar and Vijay Sardesai to New Delhi for consultation regarding the present political situation in Goa and also future strategy as regards to the smooth functioning of the coalition government."

Tendulkar further said that the BJP chief had separate meetings with the two leaders and discussed the future strategy regarding the stability of government in the background of the ill health of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

"During the discussion, the BJP chief emphasised the need for cooperation amongst all the alliance partners, including the supporting independent MLAs for smooth functioning and stability of government for the development of the state. Also, he assured the alliance leaders support from the national leadership to Goa government for full five-year terms,'' the statement added.

"The BJP is fully committed to 'coalition dharma' and mutual trust and respect to the constituent parties therein. The BJP will ensure that the current State Government will function effectively in the interest of the State and the Goan people at large," he added.

Earlier, Sardesai reportedly said that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ill-health is affecting the working of the state administration. Following Sardesai's statement, a news item that surfaced in a section of media quoted Cabral as saying that former's statement was due to his "private interest".