Political instability dogs Goa, 19 Chief Ministers since 1961
Press Trust Of India Panaji, July 28, 2007 Nineteen Chief Ministers since its liberation from Portugese rule in 1961 -- this is the fate of Goa, the tiny coastal state, which has been witnessing political turbulence since it achieved its statehood in 1987. Stories of political instability and betrayal are not new to Goa, and now once again, with the incumbent Digambar Kamat's government losing the majority in the last two days' development, the state is readying itself for another episode of political instability. The worst of it all was witnessed in 1994, when Ravi Naik (who holds home portfolio in current regime) was made Chief Minister, only to be unseated within seven days by Wilfred D'souza. Interestingly, until 1987, when the state was carved out of former Union Territory which comprised Goa and Diu and Daman also, all the Chief Ministers could complete their term. The era of instability and overnight shifting loyalties that began post 1987 has seen political equations turning on their head. BJP leader Manohar Parrikar's tenure was cut short in a coupe that was led by Atanasio Monserratte in 2005. Parrikar would have managed to save his chair, had Kamat, then the second in command in Parrikar's government, not switched his loyalties to Monserratte. Two years later, the situation has reversed, again Monseserratte is leading the coup, but now Kamat is in Chief Minister's chair, facing threat of losing out to Parrikar in the number game. Also, it was the same Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) which had fuelled the coupe against Parrikar. This time around, MGP has sided with the BJP leader. Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
