Portfolio allocation after code of conduct useless, says Vijai Sardesai

PORVORIM: In a subtle hint to the BJP, town and country planning minister and GFP president Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday said that chief minister Manohar Parrikar should delegate his powers before the code of conduct was announced for the Lok Sabha elections.

Sardesai went on to say that the GFP — one of the main coalition partners in the Parrikar-led BJP government — was keen on a stable government, but was also willing to take “steps” if things did not improve.

“Delegation of power has to happen and if it happens fast, it is good,” Sardesai told reporters on the sidelines of a TCP board meeting at the ministerial block. “Code of conduct is going to come and after that delegation of powers has no use.”

The BJP had said that a decision on distribution of Parrikar’s portfolios would be taken after the assembly election results on December 11.

“We have never disturbed the government, mainly because the leader of the government is not keeping well, but as and when steps have to be taken, we will take those steps,” Sardesai said.

A day earlier, Sardesai had said that the assembly election results, especially in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, were a “wake up call for the BJP”.

The GFP leader said it was for the BJP to decide about Parrikar’s health, his portfolios and the stability of the coalition government.

Vijai Sardesai to speak to Sudin Dhavalikar about road diversion

“We are in a coalition government and we have tried to see that we don’t rock the boat,” Sardesai said.

When asked if the government was functioning properly, Sardesai said that “there is slight improvement”.

The minister, who returned from Delhi on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, also said that the proposed diversion of traffic on the Margao Panaji route was a “cause of concern” and that he would speak to PWD minister Sudin Dhavalikar about the issue.

“It is a cause of concern as it has a direct impact on the people of South Goa. I think it should be reviewed. I will speak to Sudin and I will try to speak to the chief minister,” Sardesai said.