Mumbai: In Goa, dissenting voices started emerging in the state BJP unit, with deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza staking his claim for the chief ministership and warning that he may quit the government if he is not made CM.
The Goa BJP is divided over the issue, with leaders like Michael Lobo talking of projecting Mr D’Souza as Goa’s first Catholic CM. Rajendra Arlekar, Assembly Spea-ker, is also a key contender in the CM race.
The BJP parliamentary board is likely to meet Saturday to decide who will succeed Mr Parrikar.
A meeting of BJP legislators was held in Panaji Friday that shortlisted the names of health minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Mr D’Souza and Mr Arlekar as probable CM candidates.
Mr Pareskar, considered close to the RSS, is regarded as the frontrunner for the top post.
Earlier in the day, Mr D’ Souza told a TV channel that denying him the CM’s post will have an “adverse” impact on BJP's voters from the minority community.
“I clearly did not expect it that way. Minorities saw the BJP as an alternative to the Congress and were responding very well. It could be felt that way that a minority candidate was sidelined. It is not my feeling but the response I am getting from my supporters indicates that,” he said.
Several BJP legislators including Vishnu Wagh, Kiran Kandolkar, Car-lose Almeida, Micheal Lobo and Glenn Ticlo have openly extended their support to mr D’Souza. “We met him (DSouza). We told him that he should stake claim for the CM’s post,” Mr Wagh said.
