GDA trying to make all its members content NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, July 26 Speculations are ripe as regards the positions demanded by the members of the Goa Democratic Alliance, in exchange of their support to the proposed government, which range from inclusion in the state cabinet to chairmanship of various government-run corporations. The sources from the alliance informed that the Save Goa Front president, Mr Churchill Alemao, in all probability would be sworn in as the deputy chief minister with a portfolio as important as tourism, supplemented by the fisheries portfolio. It is also learnt Mr Alemao has demanded the chairmanship of a corporation for his party MLA, Mr Reginaldo Lourenco. The independent candidate, Mr Anil Salgaocar, it is learnt, has set his eyes on the industry and mining portfolios. The United Goans Democratic Party MLA, Mr Atanasio Monserrate would however not be entrusted with the town and country planning portfolio, and would have to settle for something like urban development portfolio. The new government wants to have a smooth sail as far as the distribution of T&CP portfolio is concerned. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar will be able to retain his favourite public works department portfolio, along with archives and archaeology portfolio. The MGP, like the SGF is also interested in a chairmanship of a corporation for its other MLA, Mr Pandurang Dhavalikar. The St Cruz MLA, Ms Victoria Fernandes will also find a berth in the cabinet, thus fulfilling her ambition of becoming a minister, during this term. She would have either social welfare or women and child development portfolio under her belt. The GDA partners have however unanimously agreed to keep the home and finance portfolios with their proposed chief minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar. Mr Parrikar may also keep the education, information and publicity, and town and country planning portfolios with him. It is also possible that the education portfolio would go to Mr Laxmikant Parsekar, tipped to be one of the BJP ministers in the coalition government. The other BJP MLAs who are short-listed to be inducted in the cabinet are Mr Francis DSouza, Mr Rajesh Patnekar, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar and Mr Damodar Naik. This tentative distribution of ministerial posts still leaves one berth in the state cabinet vacant, which may see one more MLA extending support to the proposed GDA government. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=072714 Cip
