MGP’s 4-day ultimatum to CM to drop Govind from cabinet

PANAJI/PONDA: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on Friday gave a four-day “ultimatum” to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to remove Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude from the state cabinet.

The MGP took serious note of the quarrel between Gaude and Public Works Department Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, who is a senior leader of the party, that took place during the cabinet meeting on Thursday at the state secretariat.

“Govind Gaude verbally abused, threatened and rushed menacingly to attack Dhavalikar…he even went on to say that he will chop off our leader,” said working president of the MGP Narayan Sawant while addressing a press conference here.

The senior partner in the BJP-led coalition government claimed that the quarrel took place during the meeting in presence of all the ministers of the government including the Chief Minister over development works related to PWD in Priol constituency. Sawant claimed that none of the cabinet ministers tried to intervene, adding that Dhavalikar remained silent and did not retaliate verbally or physically.

The political rivalry between Gaude and MGP leaders is a long-drawn one. Gaude had contested against MGP president and defeated him. Thereafter he had accused senior Dhavalikar of not undertaking developmental works in Priol.

Sawant said that Dhavalikar has been one of the longest serving ministers for almost 20 years in Goa and Gaude is like a cub in front of him as he has been in the government for just under 24 months. Sawant said that no files of development work of Priol have been blocked by Dhavalikar and the charges made by the Art and Culture Minister were baseless.

“Gaude has realised that he is losing his ground in the constituency and there is uncertainty over his future in Priol. Hence he has launched the attack against us,” Sawant said.

When questioned whether the MGP would file a police complaint in this matter or withdraw support to the government if the government fails to meet their demands, Sawant said, “Once the four-day deadline ends, MGP’s central working committee will hold an emergency meeting and decide the next course of action.”

Meanwhile, when asked for his reaction, Gaude said that he cannot divulge the details of conversations held during cabinet meetings. He said that there is no issue and added that he would hold a press conference if he has to say anything.