Cong demands Prez rule in Goa

Panaji: The opposition Congress demanded Monday that President’s rule be imposed in Goa in the wake of the absence of chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently in the US for a medical treatment.
Congress’ Goa spokesman Ramakant Khalap said the state is facing a “constitutional crisis”, and that he has sought an appointment with Governor Mridula Sinha to press for his party’s demand for President’s rule.
Parrikar has been “constantly absent” from the state because of health reasons, without handing over his charge to anyone, he said.
Also, Goa’s power minister Pandurang Madkaikar and urban development minister Francis D’Souza have been down with ailments, he noted while talking to reporters here.
There is no deadline when the CM and these ministers will be back in the state, Khalap said, adding “it is time for Governor Mridula Sinha to intervene in the matter as the state is facing a constitutional crisis”.
Parrikar, 62, underwent treatment at a US hospital for a pancreatic ailment between March and June this year.
D’Souza also went to USA for a medical treatment last month while Madkaikar is admitted to a hospital in Mumbai since June 5 after he suffered a brain stroke.
Khalap alleged that Parrikar and the two other ministers have violated the oath taken by them to discharge their duties towards the state and demanded that the Goa government be dismissed and President’s rule be imposed in the state. (PTI)