While Manohar Parrikar Undergoes Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in US, BJP MLA in Goa Says 'Govt Has Stopped Functioning'

BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral, hitting out at the state cabinet, said the council of ministers have become "indecisive" in absence of Parrikar.

The ruling BJP has so far ruled out the possibility of appointing an interim CM in place of Parrikar | File image | (Photo: Credits: PTI)

Panaji, Mar 10: Although the BJP alliance partners have backed the stability of government in Goa in absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, a party MLA has raised signs of caution claiming the state's administration has come to a standstill since the CM is undergoing treatment in US for pancreatic cancer.

BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral, hitting out at the state cabinet, said the council of ministers have become "indecisive" in absence of Parrikar. "Right now, the government is not functioning at all," he said while speaking to reporters on Friday night.

Cabral's angst is directed against the cabinet which has refrained to take a decision on auctioning licenses due to the unavailability of Parrikar. The Supreme Court has directed closure of all existing iron-ore mining firms from March 16 due to irregularities in allocation.

Cabral, who heads the Goa Tourism Development Corporation, also alleged that the department's proposal to start a new taxi service for tourists has been stuck in logjam due to Parrikar being in US for treatment.

Parrikar was flown to US on Wednesday after being recommended by the doctors treating him at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital. He is currently undergoing treatment at a special healthcare facility in New York.

The BJP allies - Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party - have expressed solidarity with the government, only on the condition that BJP would appoint no interim CM in place of Parrikar.

MGP president Pandurang Dhavalikar said as long as Parrikar remains the CM, "we will continue to support the government".

Similar views were expressed by GFP chief Vijai Sardesai, claiming "there is no threat to the government's stability". "Before the Governor, we promised support to Manohar Parrikar explicitly. It is not the BJP, but Parrikar whom we are supporting," he told reporters earlier.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2018 10:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

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