While the Chief Minister rushed to New Delhi to get the blessings of the Congress President ms Sonia Gandhi on the distribution of "loaves and fishes to her 12 disciples" and also carried a brief note on the pitfalls of denying a Cabinet berth to MLA Santacruz Ms Victoria Fernandes; the still waters in the Opposition camp and those of the UGDP and SGF and the lone industrialist mine owner MLA of Sanvordem Sanguem Taluka leaves suspicion on the events that will unfold in the next few days.
Meanwhile Ms Fernandes is under medical observation in a private room No 52 of the Vintage Hospital Panaji Tel No+91 832 6644401 as her condition had deteriorated early morning. Many women organisations irrespective of party affiliations felt a gross injustice was done Ms Fernandes and blamed Mr Kamat for aceding to the demands of Mr Vishwajit Rane Independent MLA Valpoi. "if new comers were set aside why a preferntial treatment to Mr. Rane" Why was Ms Victoria Fernandes denied a cabinet berth -- is it to deny her the right to know-how on Cabinet decisions especially in an era where decisions are consented to " by circulation " and not by discussions. Yet another supporter of Ms Fernandes questioned Mr "Digu" bab's claim of Parliamentary Secretary -- if this position is on par with Ministers and Mr Kamat was willing to part with one or two portfolios would it not be appropriate to give it to Mr Vishwajit Rane a new entrant? Either the Chief Minister has no guts and in that case he should hand over charge to another instead of blaming the High Command. The electorate of Goa who voted the INC to power as law makers have nothing to do with the High or Low command -- that is the internal matter of the Party -- but to the voters it is the CM who is unswerable. We do not need a puppet CM for Goa he added. Infact many believe that Mr Vishwajit Rane should in the face of criticism make the "supreme sacrifice" and offer the seat to Ms Fernandes -- a step which would earn him overnight the hearts of over 50% of the electorate that constitutes women in the State of Goa and also well meaning citizens one women activist felt. This writer interacted with a senior INC party executive and he candidly admitted that there was more in store once the portfolios are distributed. He blamed the coalition for this situation and argued that while a majority eluded the INC in Goa since the early 1990 the lucrative portfolios are the prime cause for dissatisfaction within the party rank and file. Yet another problem faced by local INC is the interference of Congress emissaries in Goa. How can these emissaries be trusted when they themselves have stakes in the State. For e.g they cited the case of Margaret Alva the AICC General Secretary who though rejected in her own state of Karnataka tries to behave like a Headmistress and interferes even in civic affairs as she did last time with the Margao Municipal Council to wrest it from the Opposition BJP. In fact the INC party in Goa would only be too happy if the Congress Presidents relieves her of the Goa Desk. Another INC partymen argued that it is time that the press act as OBSERVERS of these OSBSERVERS who venture into Goa actually with the intent of filling up their coffers or acting as "FRONTMAN' to promote interests of business men from outside the State. The Monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly begins on the 16th July and it is expected to be month long. Before that the Ministers many of whom are experienced will have to prepare themselves to answer starred and unstarred questions and also have the Budget passed. This may me difficult with infighting. The MLA's who have been left out without inclusion in the Cabinet are 1) Mr Agnel Fernandes Calangute INC, 2) Ms Victoria Fernandes Santa Cruz INC 3) Mr Francisco Silveira INC St Andre, 4) Mr Gurudas Gawas INC Pale, 5) Mr S G Satardekar Curchorem INC, 6) Mr Chandrakant B Kavlekar Quepem INC, Priol 7) Mr Mauvin Godinho INC Cortalim SUPPORTING PARTIES 8)Mr Anil Salgaocar Ind Sanvordem 9) Mr Nilikant Harlankar Tivim, NCP, 10) Mr Dipak Dhavalikar MGP If another three to four disgruntled MLA's of the INC get together after being dissatisfied with the portfolios in the days to come they could easily constitute two thirds of the total strenght of the INC and merge with either the SGF or the UGDP and form a coalition of sorts to run a non INC government. This is permitted under the 91st Constitution amendment. These and many other permutation and combinations are being worked out to ensure a GOAN CENTRIC government and not one dictated by the High Command in New Delhi. GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Download prohibited? No problem. To chat from any browser without download, Go to http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php