New Delhi/Panaji, Mar 18 (UNI) The BJP may finally opt for a young and 45-year-old Pramod Sawant as the new Chief Minister for Goa to succeed Manohor Parrikar, who expired on Sunday evening.
Union Minister and former BJP national president Nitin Gadkari held multiple rounds of talks with his party MLAs and leaders of regional parties the Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party at Panaji during last 18 hours.
BJP national secretary B L Santosh is also helping him. Mr Gadkari, who reached Panaji late Sunday night, carried on with the consultations sometime one-on-one even past mid night.
One of the regional partners on Sunday night staked claim to Chief Ministership by virtue of seniority of a legislator.
MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar, who was Minister under Manohor Parrikar, met Mr Gadkari and later said the talks were "confidential". He was number two under Mr Parrikar and has been a five time MLA representing Marcaim constituency.
“I cannot disclose about the discussions and questions Mr Gadkari asked as they are confidential," he has said after first rounds of meetings with Mr Gadkari.
On Monday again the talks were out on fast track and BJP tried to zero down on Mr Pramod Sawant, who is Speaker in the state assembly.
However, some minor skirmishes still persisted as Goa Forward Party leader Vijay Sardesai raised his issues before the BJP leadership.
According to sources, BJP leaders Vinay Tendulkar, Maichael Lobo and Satish Dhond held a separate meeting with Mr Sardesai, who was also Minister in the Parrikar cabinet.
The new issue could be with the post of deputy chief ministership. Both MGP and GFP have three members each.
GFP sources have claimed before Mr Gadkari and Mr Santosh that at least two Independent MLAs have loyalty towards the leadership of Vijay Sardesai.
There is no stalemate, talks are progressing and everyone including the allies and leadership understand that there is a state of mourning and senior leaders are all involved in the last rites of the Late Manohar Parrikar.
With the demise of Parrikar, the strength of 40-member Goa legislative Assembly has been reduced to 36. Late Parrikar was MLA from Panaji and BJP MLA Francis D’Souza had expired last month.
Two Congress legislators had resigned to join the BJP and bypolls are also to be held on April 23 along with Lok Sabha polls.
Goa Forward Party MLAs Vinod Palyekar and Jayesh Salgoankar also met Mr Gadkari.
In a Tweet on Sunday, GFP leader Vijay Sardesai wrote: "I will remember (Parrikar) always as a formidable adversary in politics, a selfless patron and a mentor in the cabinet".
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