Michael Lobo, Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, here on Thursday, said he was waiting for his party BJP to appoint him Chief Minister, and added he would not join the contest for the Speaker's post even if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forced him to do that.

"Whatever I think does not come true. I wanted to become Chief Minister, but the party did not make me one. I am still waiting for the party to make me (CM). If the party forces me to become Chief Minister, I will. If the party forces me to become the Speaker, I would not. I am happy as the Deputy Speaker," Lobo told reporters at the Assembly complex.

Lobo's comments have come at a time when the BJP is scouting for candidates to fill up the Speaker's post, which fell vacant after Pramod Sawant was appointed Chief Minister following the death of Manohar Parrikar on March 17.

Sawant on Wednesday had said it was necessary to fill up the post of Speaker ahead of the monsoon session of the Assembly, the dates for which have not been decided.

The BJP legislator said the party should try to appoint a senior legislator, on the verge of retirement, to the position. "Let the seniormost member of the House, due to retire by the next election, take this position. Let him be happy that he retired as the Speaker,' Lobo said without taking any name.

Lobo, also an aspirant for a berth in the Sawant-headed new cabinet, is at loggerhead with the state BJP leadership over his criticism of the BJP-led government's functioning.

Lobo, a two-term MLA, also said a legislator elected to the post of Speaker had to play a neutral role and could not raise popular issues in the House, which was one of the reasons why he did not want to take up the position.

--IANS

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