From: SHANTARAM NAIK M.P. (Member of Rajya Sabha) GOA ADDRESS: 2137, Near Swami Math, Gogol, Margao, GOA 403 602 Tel: 0832-2759555 Fax: 0832-2724136 9422439990 DELHI ADDRESS: 602, Brahmaputra, 12-13, Dr. Bishamdas Marg, Near Gol Dak Khana, New Delhi. Delhi Tel: 011-23766505 09868181344
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 10:06:08 Member of Parliament Shantaram Naik in a statement issued today branded the memorandum submitted by the Goa BJP delegation to the President of India a part of BJP's communal agenda and said that it deserves to be treated with contempt. Mr. Naik said that BJP is never known to take up issues seriously and galvanise people on a bigger scale, except for the implementation of its communal agenda. If it is a fact that BJP has collected 200,000 signatures on their memorandum -- which is very much doubtful considering the track record of putting bogus signatures on their party membership forms -- then, it, itself is an indication that the whole drama is to satiate BJP's communal hunger, Naik charged. When the BJP takes economic issue or issues for the common good of the society, they drop the issue like a hot potato without wasting much time on it. Regarding the issue of the removal of Governor S.C. Jamir, Naik charged that the BJP is sweating to collect signatures for the last several months now, and, the BJP have patience to attempt such campaigns only if the aim and objectives are communal and when their mindset on an issue is inspired by hate towards a particular community. The BJP has a track record of getting Ordinances issued to increase Contigency Fund limit, of dismissing the Congress government led by Pratap Singh Rane, within minutes after the government successfully passed financial bills, Naik argued. Manohar Parrikar, the Leader of Opposition now, who led the delegation to the President making allegations against the Goa Governor should recollect that when the then Governor Mohd Fazal, dissolved the Goa Legislative Assembly by his Order dated 27th February, 2002, keeping Mr. Parrikar as care taker Chief Minister, when the Governor by his order dated 13th February, 2002, had already summoned the Assembly to meet on 13th March, 2002. The Governor acted at the request of Mr Parrikar, who under the pretext of discussing budget proposals, convened a meeting of his Cabinet at Goa International Centre, on the morning of 27th Feb, instead of at the Secretariat, and revealed his plan of dissolving the Assembly. When some members showed some resistance, he assured them that they can meet again in the evening over the issue. However, despite his assurance of holding a cabinet meeting in the evening, Mr. Parrikar went straight away to the Raj Bhavan and informed the Governor that a resolution had been passed by the Cabinet recommending the dissolution of the Assembly, when in fact no resolution was passed at the meeting and, subsequently it became known that no such resolution was even drafted. This was done by BJP as, in the third week of February 2002, there were clear cracks in BJP Legislature Party, and, it had been de facto reduced to a minority. Therefore, to avoid defeat on the floor of the House, the Chief Minister not only played a fraud on the Constitution but also cheated the Members of his Cabinet, while he himself headed the caretaker government, Naik said. Subsequently, the Governor issued a Ordinance to raise the Contigency Fund Limit from 10 crores to 690 crores, which Mr. Parrikar charges Mr. Jamir of doing now by issuing a similar Ordinance. Has Mr. Parrikar any moral right to make malicious and personal allegations against Mr Jamir, a distinguished public figure with a vast political and social background including that of being Parliamentary Secretary in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet, Naik asked. DOCUMENTS ATTACHED (TO PRESS NOTE): (i) Gazette copy of Governor Mohd Fazal dated 13th Feb, 2002 calling the Assembly. (ii) Gazette copy of two Orders of Governor dated 27th Feb 2002 dissolving the Goa Legislative Assembly and appointing Mr. Parrikar as care taker(commonly called) Chief Minister. (iii) Gazette Copy of Orinance dated 28th March, 2002, issued by the then Governor Mohd Fazal increasing Contigency Fund from 10 crores to 690 crores.
