Goa: BJP rules out change in leadership, says Cong playing to gallery

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane Thursday ruled out a change in the leadership of the BJP-led dispensation on account of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's ill health, and alleged the Congress was playing to the gallery by staking claim to form the government as it did not have the required numbers.

The government is functioning "very well" and all the alliance partners are firmly supporting Parrikar, who is undergoing treatment at Delhi's AIIMS, the BJP leader asserted.

The Congress, which is the single-largest party with 16 MLAs, has staked claim to form the government in the coastal state and said it has the support of over 21 legislators in the 40-member Assembly.

The opposition party's claim comes at a time when sixty-two-year-old Parrikar is admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for a pancreatic ailment.

"The Congress doesn't have the numbers. If they have the support of 21 MLAs, then they should parade them before the governor. They are just playing to the gallery," Rane told reporters here.

He claimed the Congress leaders were constantly calling up BJP MLAs and "pleading" for support.

Asked about the current political situation in the state, he said, "Where is the question of leadership change? We have our chief minister in place. He is undergoing treatment, but that does not mean we should replace him."
On the visit of BJP's central observers to Goa during the weekend, Rane said, "The party leaders never discussed about change in leadership during their meeting."