BJP’s by-polls will provide ‘moral strength’ to govt: Manohar Parrikar

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said the BJP’s victory in the two bypolls in the state will provide “moral strength” to the party-led ruling coalition.

He said the results also negate the perception in certain quarters that the BJP went against the mandate of the February assembly polls and formed the government under him. The party retained the Panaji seat and wrested Valpoi from the Congress with comfortable margins. Parrikar himself emerged victorious from Panaji, while his Cabinet colleague Vishwajit Rane romped home in Valpoi. “This is an endorsement of the government and the party candidates,” the chief minister said, addressing a press conference after the results were announced this morning.

Parrikar said the strength of the ruling coalition has now gone up to 23, which is a comfortable majority in the 40- member assembly. To a query, the IIT engineer-turned-politician said, “The ruling coalition is a happy family of 23 members and (we) do not want anyone for the next five years.” “In a democracy,numbers count and right now the ruling coalition has 23 members … Which gives moral strength to the state government,” he said.
The CM said the victories were on the expected lines.

Parrikar alleged “certain sections” …read more