Independent MLA accuses CM of horse-trading post ZP polls

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

Goa Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes after an independent legislator accused Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar of indulging in horse-trading after the recently held Zilla Panchayat polls.
"Under the guise of having stability in ZPs, the state government was busy lobbying for support from independents. The chief minister was seen on TV channels publicly horse- trading to get BJP candidates inducted as zilla panchayat chairpersons," Sardesai said.
Sardesai, who was speaking during a discussion on Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the House, stoked heated arguments between ruling and the opposition over his comments.
BJP MLAs Nilesh Cabral and Subhash Faldesai objected to the statement while Parsekar rubbished the allegations.

"I am being purposely misquoted by Sardesai. I had read Sardesai making this statement (on horse-trading) earlier too. But I never clarified. Now, I am doing it because he has made it on the floor of the House," he said.
Sardesai, continuing his speech, said majority of BJP members themselves don't want ZP polls on party-lines, which was reflected in the poll results as it polled only one and half lakh votes out of a large voter-base.
"This means that even their cadre is not supporting the government's move," he said.
The chief minister, interrupting Sardesai, said ZP polls were held only in rural areas and the 16 municipal councils were not covered under it.