Goa administration in ICU due to Parrikar's illness, Congress tells Governor

Claiming the state administration was in the ICU due to the repeated hospitalisation of ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Congress in Goa on Wednesday appealed to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to dismiss the BJP-led coalition government in the state, while also warning of a statewide protest if its demand is not met.

"We once again appeal to the Governor to intervene to have full time Chief Minister, if not she should withdraw her pleasure in the Council of Ministers and dismiss this government forthwith... Today, there is Emergency-like situation in Goa..." state Congress president Girish Chodankar said in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

Chodankar's statement comes on a day when Parrikar, is scheduled to leave for the US for the third time in six months for treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Parrikar has been unwell since February this year and has been hospitalised on multiple occasions in hospitals in Goa, Mumbai and New York.

During his period of absence from March to June, when he was undergoing treatment in New York, Parrikar had appointed a three-member ministerial committee to oversee routine government affairs, but this time round BJP sources claim that Parrikar is keen on keeping the decision-making powers to himself, during his visit to US.

Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik, who is also a North Goa MP told reporters on Wednesday that Parrikar was expected to return back to Goa in a week's time.

Chodankar, in his statement, also accused Parrikar of being obstinate in not relinquishing the chief ministerial chair, while also accusing him, as well ruling coalition allies of holding the people of Goa to ransom.

"Parrikar's obstinate insistence on sticking to his chair is jeopardising not only his own health but it is also impacting upon the administration and health of the State," Chodankar said, adding that the BJP and ruling allies, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward party had "no right to hold the state and it's people to ransom through emotional blackmail by cashing on people's sentiment of goodwill towards a sick man".

"Parrikar and BJP should stop thinking that he is irreplaceable and come out of his self-induced hallucination that all his colleagues are incompetent and useless to adorn the chair of Chief Minister," Chodankar also said.

--IANS

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