BJP central observers reach Goa to take stock of situation,

A three-member team of central observers of the ruling BJP arrived in Goa on Sunday afternoon to take stock of the political situation in view of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's indisposition, even as the Congress said it is watching the developments.

Parrikar, 62, has been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for treatment.

Some media reports have suggested that the BJP is exploring alternatives for the chief minister's position in Goa till Parrikar gets well.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sent its national general secretaries B L Santhosh and Ram Lal and Goa in-charge Vijay Puranik to assess the situation in the state, where the party came to power with the support of regional outfits and Independents.

"They will be holding a series of meetings on Sunday and Monday with BJP leaders and also the alliance partners -- the Goa Forward Party, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the Independents," BJP state chief Vinay Tendulkar told reporters.

The central observers met the party's legislators as well as Goa unit chief Tendulkar and Member of Parliament (South Goa) Narendra Sawaikar at a city hotel Sunday.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, after the meeting, said he had given his views about the current political situation in the state and it was now for the party to take a decision.

Rane, however, refused to divulge details of the meeting.

"We have briefed them about the facts. Each one of us has our own views and we briefed them about it. It is not right to come out in public with what we discussed," he said.

Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Assembly Michael Lobo told reporters that the meeting was centred around the functioning of the government and Parrikar's health.

"The observers sent by the party high command are monitoring the situation. Let them report to the high command and come back to us with a solution to the problem," Lobo said.

On being asked about what the problem was, the deputy speaker said, "There is no problem in the party. Right now, the chief minister is not well, that is the problem."