The Times Of India - Goa, 11/21/2018 Cropped page Page: 2

11/20/2018 11:03:34 PM

TIMES CITYTHE TIMES OF INDIA, GOA | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2018

ROBBERS BLAST ATM OPEN ON BUSY ARAMBOLROAD, DECAMP WITH OVER `̀9 LAKH | 4

CROCODILE SPOTTED NEAR A HOUSING COLONY ATST INEZ, RESCUED AND RELEASED IN CREEK | 4

Panaji: The Maharashtra-wadi Gomantak Party (MGP)on Tuesday approached thehigh court of Bombay at Goaseeking an order to restrainformer Congress MLAs Day-anand Sopte and SubhashShirodkar from contestingthe byelections.

After resigning as MLAs,the duo joined the BJP , ne-cessitating the byelection intheir Mandrem and Shirodaconstituencies. The MGP is acoalition partner in the BJP-led state government.

Alleging that the speakerhad not secured the personalpresence of the legislatorswhile accepting the resigna-

tion, the petitioner said theresignation was sent by faxby the MLAs when they werein Delhi.

“It is not disclosed/ex-amined by the speaker theplace from where the letter ofresignation was faxed by themembers,” the petition said,adding, “The petitioners ha-

ve an apprehension that thefax was received by the spea-ker from the office of the na-tional president of the BJP”.

The petitioner said thespeaker should have conside-red the circumstances whichpersuaded the two MLAs totender their resignations.

The petitioners submit-

ted that considering the cir-cumstances and the backgro-und, the speaker was duty-bound to consider that the resignations were againstthe mandate of the electorateand provisions of the Consti-tution. “The resignation ca-me to be accepted after themeeting of the members con-

two former Congress MLAs.The petition has also so-

ught a direction to the Elec-tion Commission of India tosend appropriate recommen-dation to the governmentand the law commission see-king amendment to the anti-defection law to disqualifymembers of either Parlia-ment or legislative assembli-es or councils, who resignfrom the membership witho-ut any justifiable reason,from contesting fresh elec-tions and/or occupying anypublic posts for a period ofsix years.

The petition said healthminister Vishwajit Rane wasalso lured to resign as Cong-ress MLA. After resigning,he contested fresh electionson a BJP ticket and got him-self elected. The facts woulddemonstrate that he resig-ned from his party members-hip previously to become aminister, the petitioner said.

cerned with the BJP nationalpresident. The speaker didnot think it fit to make any in-quiry into the genuinenessand willingness of the mem-bers concerned. The speakerdid not receive any noticefrom the Congress. The resig-nations are contrary to therules, in force as well as theinterest of the electorate,”the MGP petition read.

The MGP said materialon record is not sufficient toshow that Sopte and Shirod-kar’s resignation was volun-tary or genuine. It said thaton having joined the saffronparty, the members have be-en rewarded with chair-manship of two different sta-te corporations — the Econo-mic Development Corpora-tion and Goa TourismDevelopment Corporation.

The party has sought toquash the decision of spea-ker Pramod Sawant accep-ting the resignations of the

Anti-DefectionLaw Needs

Change: MGP

‘Sopte, Shirodkar can’t chair corporations’THE PETITION ALLEGES

Political situation in Goa is such that four BJP MLAs, including CM Manohar Parrikar, Francis D’Souza, Pandurang Madkaikar and Carlos Almeida, are “terminally ill”

Congress started making claims for government formation after approaching the highest constitutional authorities, including the governor

Sensing that they may lose power, the BJP made moves to effect defections in the Congress

Former Congress MLAs met the BJP

national president and submitted their letter of resignation to him. The resignation letters were forwarded to the speaker by fax. The office of the speaker received the same at around

12.55pm and it was accepted

THE PETITION SEEKS

Issue of appropriate directions to the ECI to restrain Sopte and Shirodkar from contesting the byelections in the constituencies formerly represented by them

Restraining Sopte and Shirodkar from occupying office-of-profit in the government till the term of the present assembly ends

FRIEND-TURNED-FOE?

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

MGP president Pandu-rang Dhavalikar deni-ed it was a pressure tac-

tic. “There is no political inten-tion behind the petition. Wewant to have smooth functio-ning of democracy in the sta-te,” he told TOI.

In the writ petition filed be-fore the high court, MGP hassaid there is not enough mate-rial on record to say that resig-nations of Sopte and Shirod-kar were voluntary, as they we-re lured by BJP by promisingthem prominent positions.

MGP working presidentNarayan Sawant also said itwas neither against the go-vernment nor was itscared that two of theirMLAs—tourism mini-ster Manohar Azgaon-kar and Deepak Paus-kar—may join BJP. “No,this (Azgaonkar andPauskar joining BJP) is ruledout. Our MLAs are with us andthey will remain with us.”

But vice-president Ratna-kar Mardolkar was quick to addthat if Sudin Dhavalikar joi-ned BJP to become the chief mi-nister, they would move the co-urt against him, too. “We willadd Sudin’s name to the peti-tion.” Political observers saidthere was a proposal from BJPthat Sudin merge MGP withBJP and become chief minister.

Sawant was evasive as towhy the party did not approachthe court when health mini-ster Vishwajit Rane quit Cong-ress and joined BJP in March2017. “We were waiting forother political parties to filethe petition,” he said.

While MGP leaders havetried to downplay the politicalimplications of the petition,analysts said there must be se-veral considerations related tothe current churning.

One reason may be thatthrough the petition, MGPwants to send a signal to itsMLAs that if they join the BJP,they will be dragged to court.

The other, according to aparty watcher, may be that

MGP wants to shake BJP upfrom its comfort zone of an ai-ling chief minister runningthe government.

Observers reckon that by fi-ling the petition, MGP has bro-ught to the fore the simmeringdifferences with BJP over va-rious issues.

For long, Dhavalikar’s na-me has figured in political cir-cles as the senior-most mini-ster to get the mantle or at leasttemporary charge to run thestate administration.

With the ground situationremaining unchanged despiteBJP president Amit Shah twe-eting in September-end aboutreallocation of portfolios, the-re is growing resentment

among the coalitionpartners and sources sa-id, many in private sup-port MGP on the issuesthat it has raised.

With the nationalelection scene hotting

up, BJP will be making all outefforts to retain both Lok Sab-ha seats—North and South Go-a—but as the last few electionshave shown, MGP plays a sig-nificant role for its victory orat least for the high victorymargin, especially in SouthGoa. One of the reasons thatNarendra Sawaikar couldwrest the seat from Congressin 2014 was due to the huge le-ads he gained in assembly seg-ments represented by MGP.

This time, if MGP doesn’tgo with its senior partner forthe parliamentary polls, BJPmay find roadblocks especial-ly in South Goa. Knowing thiswell, MGP may be increasingits bargaining power to takepole position.

Another reason, accordingto an analyst, is that with MGPnow playing a dominant role, itmay push the government intoa constitutional crisis leadingto dissolution of the House.

Observers say that the poli-tical situation may be far fromclear, but development may bein the offing after December 11when results of the assemblypolls to MP, Chhattisgarh andRajasthan will be known.

‘Will add Sudin’sname to petitionif he joins BJP’

Panaji: A group of citizensmostly comprising Congressworkers marched towards CMManohar Parrikar’s privateresidence at Dona Paula onTuesday demanding restora-tion of governance in Goa.

The group, shouting slo-gans, were stopped by policearound half a kilometer awayfrom his residence where de-puty collector, North Goa,Shashank Tripathi met them.Former CM Digambar Kamat,leader of opposition Chandra-kant Kavalekar, Reginaldo Lo-urenco, Jennifer Monserrateand Girish Chodankar alsoparticipated in the protest.

Social activist, Aires Rod-rigues, presented a 48-hour ul-timatum for Parrikar’s resig-nation for governance in thestate to be restored. Tripathisaid he accepted it on behalf ofthe district administrationand assured that it would berepresented to the chief mini-ster. The protest took place du-ring the opening ceremony ofthe International Film Festi-val of India that was takingplace at Shyama MukherjeeStadium more than a kilome-ter away.

Senior cardiologist Fran-cisco Colaco said “We will re-sort to all peaceful means toend this state of affairs.”

Senior vice-president,NCP, Avinash Bhonsale said itappears that the CM is undersiege. BJP state unit presidentVinay Tendulkar condemnedthe morcha.

Citizens marchto Parrikar’s

house, call forhis resignation

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Panaji: Venerable AgneloD’Souza is a shining star ofthe Church of Goa and he pre-ached the Gospel through hisholy life and is a model of holi-ness, archbishop of Delhi,Anil Couto, said on Tuesday.

He was delivering the ho-mily at the high mass to markthe 91st death anniversary of venerable D’Souza in a pan-dal outside Pilar church onTuesday.

The death anniversary ofthe Anjuna-born priest wascelebrated with great fervourand devotion, as thousandsflocked to Pilar hillock to seekhis blessings.

While Couto presided overthe solemn Eucharistic cele-bration, there were massesfrom 5.30am and a few in theevening on Tuesday. Fr TonyFernandes, vice-postulator ofthe cause of venerable Agnelode Souza, while thanking the archbishop, mentionedthat the beatification processis gaining momentum andthat everybody needs to prayunceasingly.

Superior general of the so-ciety of Pilar, Fr Sebastiao

Mascarenhas, sfx, said thatVenerable Agnelo is an attrac-tive person for our times be-cause he embodies inclusive-ness, peace and forgiveness,which are the values of our In-dian culture.

At the end of the Eucha-rist, central delegate superiorof Pilar, Fr Nazareth Fernan-des, thanked all those invol-ved, especially governmentofficials, MLAs and mini-sters, who rendered their services and cooperation andmade the celebration a mea-ningful one.

During the nine-day nove-na period from November 11to19, masses were celebratedwith specific themes and pur-

pose. A night vigil on Novem-ber 16. to pray for the early ca-nonization of venerable Ag-nelo, was conducted by the Pi-lar retreat team and Potaretreat team.

On November 17, a specialmass for the sick was celebra-ted. They were prayed overand were anointed with oil.During the novena, every Eucharist was followed by aNovena prayer and prayerover the sick. Favours recei-ved through the intercessionof Venerable Agnelo were announced. The devotees prayed near the tomb and we-re allowed to kiss the sacredrelic of the cassock of Vene-rable Agnelo.

Thousands flock to Pilar toseek Ven Agnelo’s blessings

Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto (right) was the main celebrant

Nevil FernandesTIMES NEWS NETWORKCalangute: With the Ca-langute-Candolim beachbelt witnessing rising tou-rist footfalls, various mea-sures are being consideredto ease traffic movement inthis area.

Deputy speaker and localMLA Michael Lobo recentlysaid discussions are on toconstruct multi-level par-king facilities on a public-private-partnership (PPP)model at various spots in Ca-langute. “We have alreadystarted discussions with pri-vate parties to build multi-level parking facilities atGTDC parking area at Baga,

Nazri parking area, Bhodko-vodh, and the Calangute be-ach parking area,” he said.

He said in future, all out-station vehicles, includingbuses and cars, would haveto park on the outskirts ofCalangute. “They will betold to park near the churchand at other spots which wewill develop for parking, andfrom there they will betransported to the beach inshuttle buses,” he said.

He said similar measu-res will be taken in Cando-lim, adding the proposal for a bypass road from Sin-querim to Baga through theinterior areas will have to berevived.

Multi-level car parksmooted in Calangute

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Panaji: Reacting to the peti-tion filed by the MGP againstformer Congress MLAs, whorecently joined the BJP, tostop them from contesting by-polls, state BJP president andRajya Sabha MP Vinay Ten-dulkar said MGP and BJP lea-ders will meet on November24 to sought out the differen-ces between the two parties.

Since the last couple of da-ys, the MGP has been comingout with several statementsagainst the BJP governmentand chief minister ManoharParrikar.

Tendulkar told TOI hehad spoken to PWD ministerand MGP senior leader Ram-krishna Dhavalikar over theissue at an IFFI function, ad-ding, “We have decided to sitacross the table to sought outall the differences.”

When told the MGP’s sta-tements were against theBJP-led government, Tendul-kar said everybody these da-

ys wants to go to the press andget publicity.

When asked why the MGPwas not being dropped fromthe government over its re-marks, the senior BJP func-tionary said, “We have cometogether and formed the coa-lition government in the sta-te. We will continue to worktogether to provide good go-vernance and for the nextthree-and-a-half years, wewant to continue the sameway” When asked about thepetition being filed in the co-urt against the newly induc-ted BJP members, DayanandSopte and Subhash Shirdo-kar, Tendulkar said, “We ha-ve full faith in the judiciary

and the ruling will be our favour.”

MGP has moved the highcourt of Bombay at Goa torestrain Sopte and Shirodkarfrom contesting the upco-ming bye-election. It had re-cently demanded that theCM’s charge be handover toDhavalikar, who is senior-most minister in the cabinet,else the party leadership saidit was free to contest the upco-ming bypolls and Lok Sabhaelections.

MGP president Pandu-rang Dhavalikar recently sa-id since the last eight months,the chief minister is unwelland the state administrationhas come to an standstill.

Will sort out differenceswith MGP, says Vinay

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vinay Tendulkar | STATE BJP PRESIDENT

We have come together and formed the coalition government in the state. We will continue to work

together to provide good governance and for the next three-and-a-half years, we want to continue the same way

Panaji: A group of activists,who had submitted a memo-randum to governor MridulaSinha last month demandinga full-time chief minister ordissolution of the assembly,has decided to write to thechief secretary, Prime Mini-ster and President of India.

The governor forwardedthe memorandum, signed by 160 citizens, to the chief se-cretary “for action as may beconsidered appropriate formatters concerning the stateadministration”.

“We are not satisfied with

this,” said Judith Almeida,who had led the delegation tothe Governor’s Palace on Oc-tober 31.

“We believe the governorhas enough powers to dissol-ve this government. If thereis no administration takingplace,she hasthe power to inform the Pre-sident of India about what ishappening in the state,” shetold reporters on Monday.

If there is a breakdown ofthe political system, it is thegovernor who has to take adecision, said Iris Passanha,another activist.

“She is just passing thebuck on to the chief secreta-ry. The chief secretary can-not take a decision. She should seek advice from thePrime Minister and Presi-dent. If she is not in a posi-tion to do that, it is advisable

for her toresign and

leave,” he said.Demanding the resigna-

tion of ailing chief ministerManohar Parrikar, whoholds more than 20 portfo-lios, Almeida said the stateneeds a smooth functionalgovernment.

“Being patient and sym-

pathetic is one aspect, butone many cannot hold 15 lakhpeople to ransom. If the BJP government has thenumbers, let them prove the majority on the floor ofthe House. If they are unableto do so, they must resign andlet the state go to polls again.We cannot call ourselves edu-cated if we allow this to hap-pen in our state anymore,”she said.

Passanha said it is moreshameful for the MLAs in thegovernment.

“They could have resig-ned if they cannot handle thegovernment,” he said.

Unhappy with guv response, activiststo write to Prez, PM for full-time CM

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

‘NO ADMIN IN STATE’

Panaji: On the fifth day of hisindefinite hunger strike, na-tional RTI awardee RajanGhate said despite intimatingthe chief secretary, inspectorgeneral of police and theNorth Goa district collectorabout his fast, no doctor hasbeen sent to check on him.

“This shows that the admi-nistration has failed,” he said.He added that nobody fromthe government has met himeither. With a number ofdrunk people taking shelter atthe Azad Maidan at night,Ghate said he has to make dowith the smell of alcohol andno security. TNN

No one fromgovt met me,says Ghate

Panaji: PDW minister and se-nior Maharashtrawadi Go-mantak Party (MGP) leaderRamkrishna Dhavalikar onTuesday said that the decisionto file a petition in the high co-urt was not against the go-vernment, but in the interestof the public.

Dhavalikar told TOI that,since 2000, MGP has been cam-paigning tochange theanti-defection law in a bid toprevent elected representati-ves from jumping parties.

The MGP is the most affec-ted party in the state owing tothe present anti-defection law,he said.

The MGP, a major coali-tion partner of the BJP-led go-vernment in the state, on Tu-esday approached the high co-urt of Bombay at Goa to rest-rain former CongressMandrem MLA DayanandSopte and Congress ShirodaMLA Subhash Shirodkar

from contesting the byelec-tions from the respectiveconstituencies. The duo re-cently joined the saffron par-ty, necessitating byelections.

“It (the petition) is not aga-inst the BJP or the Congressor any other national party. Ithas been taken in the interestof ethics and principles of de-mocracy,” the PWD ministersaid, responding to a questionwhether the petition was a

pressuretactic.

The MGP asked the courtto quash the decision of spea-ker Pramod Sawant acceptingthe Sopte’s and Shirodkar’sresignation as MLA.

At present, the anti-defec-tion law allow legislators to re-sign and contest elections, butwe want the law to be changedto deter MLAs from repeated-ly resigning and jumping toother parties, he said.

“This decision will streng-then the government as MLAswill not leave parties,” Dhava-likar added.

Plea in interest ofpublic: PWD mantri

PRESSURE TACTIC?

�From P 1

Panaji: The Congress haswelcomed the petition filed bythe MGP, but demanded thatthe party withdraw support tothe government. “We appreci-

ate the standtaken by theMGP. Now theyshould with-draw supportof this govern-ment, which

is non-existent. People whoproudly claim of making Ma-nohar Parrikar chief mini-ster should also take responsi-bility for the mess that Goahas seen in the past ninemonths,” state Congress chiefGirish Chodankar said.

On the MGP stating thatthey did what the Congressparty couldn’t, he said the issue was discussed by theparty. “We discussed it, butthere were two different vi-ews,” he said.

When asked whether theCongress would be party tothe petition, he said, “Our le-gal team is working on that.”

Next withdrawsupport to govt:

Cong to MGPTIMES NEWS NETWORK

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

CCI NG 3.7 Product: TOIGoaBS PubDate: 21-11-2018 Zone: Goa Edition: 1 Page: TOIGOP02 User: sohini.goswami Time: 11-21-2018 00:25 Color: CMYK

RA Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited

Green Hills, Tel Bhavan , DehradunONGC offers 1000* Scholarship worth Z 48,000/- per annum

to meritorious SC/ST students for pursuing professional courses inEngineering, Medical Stream, 2 year Masters Degree in BusinessAdministration, Geology and Geophysics. The selection for Scholarshipshall be on relative merit. The last date of receipt of application is 21.01.2019.For detailed information and application format please refer the employmentNews dated 24-30 November 2018 and also visit ONGC websitewww.ongcindia.com . *50% Scholarships are reserved forGirl Students

Looking for dynamic

Emma =For a Revolutionary Mobile App based

Taxi service in GOAGraduates with Oto 3 years Experience in SalesKnowledge of Travel industryTeam management skillExcellent interpersonal and presentation skillsStrong grasping ff convincing abilities

If you are Confident, having good communicationskills & like to accept challenges, We invite you to

apply for a dazzling career opportunity.Salary: Best in the Industry

9922175017/ 9763974111 1 hr@goamiles.com

o LAURUS 'Walk-In Interview

A Reputed USFDA approved Pharmaceutical company, havingmanufacturing Units at Parawada , Visakhapatnam , looking for thebright professionals for its Formulations manufacturing unit nearbyAtchutapuram (Visakhapatnam) for following positions inManufacturing, Ware House Departments.

Operators/ Chemists/ Executives/ Managers:Qualification 8c Exp: The Incumbent should be M. Pharm /B. Pharm I M.Sc. / B.Sc. / Diploma / III having 3 to15 years of relevantExperience in respective departments in Formulation division.

Please walk-in along with your updated resume, PP size photo &all other relevant proof of qualification and experiences on

10 & 2" December 2018 at the following venue:WALK-IN from 9.00 AM onwards

Kesarval Garden RetreatVerna Plateau, Opp Toyota Showroom, Cortalim, Goa - 403710.

Candidates who are unable toattend interview can send their CVs to talents@lauruslabs.com

Fresher 's Need not Attend Interview

LOOKING TO WORK IN STRESS FREEENVIRONMENT

JOIN UPCOMING

RESTAURANT BRANDEXECUTIVE CHEFMin 15 Years' Experience in Multi cuisine

SOUS CHEFMin 5 Plus Years ' Experience in North Indian& Italian Food iFRONT DESK MANAGERExcellent in English, Hindi & Kannada communication

Location. Mangalore Free Accornodation Salary No Bar

Send CV on delhiaromamangalore@gmail.com before 25-11-2018or Call to 9204538388

TIMES APPOINTMENTS