Goa RTI activist wants Parrikar to quit, starts hunger strike

Goa-based RTI activist Rajan Ghate has launched an indefinite hunger strike to press for resignation of ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar with his agitation getting support from the Congress and other parties.

Ghate began his fast Friday at historic Azad Maidan here.

Several political leaders visited Ghate at the fast site Sunday to express their support to him.

"I am on hunger strike for the sake of people of Goa who have been facing no-governance for the last nine months due to health condition of Parrikar," Ghate told reporters.

He said Parrikar should step down owing to his health condition to facilitate smooth functioning of administration in the BJP-ruled state.

Ghate said his hunger strike will continue till the demand is met.

The activist received support from various political parties and NGOs. Leaders of the Congress, the Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM), the Shiv Sena along with NGOs like Savera Sunday met Ghate.

Talking to reporters after meeting Ghate, Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said the BJPshould stop praising Parrikar for signing documents despite being ill.

Parrikar (62) has been recuperating at his private residence near Panaji since October 14 upon his return from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where he underwent treatment for a pancreatic ailment.

"Congress party always understood his medical condition. There are videos which are going viral in which he has said that a politician should call it a day when he cannot function mentally and physically," he said.

"You keep your word (and resign). Lot many people from Goa will be telling you (not to quit) but don't listen to them. I feel Ghate is doing something which we have failed to do as elected representatives," Lourenco added.

"If Goans are not getting justice, it is because of absence of CM and governance has come to a standstill. Even his own ministers have started criticising him.

"The CM should call it a day and close the chapter. Honourably I think you should exit," he said, calling for the resignation of Parrikar.

GSM chief Subhash Velingkar, who also met Ghate, said the activist is fighting for a genuine cause.

"Actually entire Goa should have risen over the issue. But Goans are tolerant," he said.

"They have done such injustice to everyone. Even God will not pardon them. Ghate is representing aspiration of all (non-BJP) parties," Velingkar said.

He said all parties and NGOs should come together and raise the issue of Parrikar's resignation.

Goa Shiv Sena spokesman Milind Gawas maintained the party had said four months ago that the state administration has come to a standstill.

"What we said four months back is turning true now," he added.

"Shiv Sena was the first one to raise the issue. We had asked for dissolution of the government. The Parrikar-led government is not bothered about the people.

"We had even launched a signature campaign. We even went to Governor, but Governor is not interested in listening to us," Gawas added.

On Saturday, the Congress demanded Governor Mridula Sinha summon a special session of the legislative assembly and ask the BJP-led coalition government to prove its majority.

The opposition party has been claiming that the state government is in a disarray in Parrikar's absence from office.

However, the BJP has been maintaining the government led by it in the coastal state is stable and all allies are with the saffron party.