Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar’s final rites are more important than government formation at this juncture, senior BJP leaders said on Monday taking the focus away from ongoing negotiations. The talks between allies and BJP leaders over new government formation have remained inconclusive.
After the first round of talks failed, State BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said that Mr. Parrikar's last rites would be given top priority before any government formation process is discussed again.
The talks were held by top Goa BJP leaders along with Union Minister for Shipping Nitin Gadkari and BJP national secretary B.L. Santosh from Sunday.
After meeting Mr. Gadkari, BJP leaders, Goa Forward president and former Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said that the discussions were inconclusive.
Deputy Speaker and BJP MLA Michael Lobo, however, claimed that former PWD Minister and leader of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) Sudin Dhavalikar had shown interest to become Chief Mnister.
“We will have to first pay a visit to Parrikar's mortal remains. Then his body will be taken to the party office and after that, a decision will be taken,” Mr. Tendulkar told presspersons after the meeting.
Mr. Lobo said that his party had shortlisted names of Vishwajit Rane, former Health Minister and Pramod Sawant, Goa Speaker, for the post of Chief Minister.
Mr. Dhavlikar, however, declined to confirm if he had staked claim to Chief Ministership, but only said that during the meeting, each MLA was asked for his views by the BJP leaders. He said that he would be meeting the BJP leaders again soon, after discussions with the MGP State executive committee members.