The Hindu : Karnataka News : BJP activists accused of ransacking hotel in Mapusa

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Wednesday, Jul 07, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Others

BJP activists accused of ransacking hotel in Mapusa

By Our Staff Correspondent

PANAJI, JULY 6. A group of alleged activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ransacked a hotel belonging to the wife of Block Congress President, Mathew Braganza, in Mapusa town on Tuesday. They

allegedly threatened Mr. Braganza in the presence of the Minister for Law and Judiciary, Francis D' Souza, and Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dayanand Mandrekar.

The mob was upset about Mr. Braganza's statement that he would offer a suite in his hotel for the former Governor, Kidar Nath Sahani. Mr. Braganza's son, Ryan Braganza, in his complaint to the Mapusa Police has named the ministers as well as MLA for Tivim, Sadanand Tanvade. Eyewitnesses confirmed the presence of the Minister with the group. The ruling BJP is up in arms over the statement of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dayanand Narvekar, that the Government could rehabilitate Mr. Sahani under Baina rehabilitation package.

Following the incident, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held an emergency meeting at the Assembly complex here and demanded the dismissal of the Manohar Parrikar Government.

The Congress Spokesperson, Jitendra Deshprabhu, alleged that the violence was instigated by Mr. Parrikar along with the BJP State unit President, Rajendra Arlekar. The CLP would meet the new Governor as soon as he assumed the office and press for the dismissal of the Government, he said.

He said the CLP demanded that the culprits, including the ministers and the MLA should be arrested immediately. "Such acts amount to collapse of law and order machinery in the State and require serious consideration," he said.

However, Mr. Parrikar, who holds the Home portfolio, told presspersons that the law would take its own course. He refused to be dragged in to the issue, stating that any statement would send wrong signals to the investigating officer.

Assembly adjourned

The Speaker, Vishwas Satarkar, had to adjourn the Legislative Assembly for the day for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as the BJP members, led by the BJP State unit President, Rajendra Arlekar, disrupted the proceedings seeking an apology from Mr. Narvekar. Mr. Arlekar told presspersons that Mr. Narvekar had brought disrespect to Goans, who were known for their hospitality and humility.

Mr. Parrikar said he was for the smooth functioning of the House, provided the Opposition maintained the decorum. The Speaker had convened a meeting on Wednesday to the discuss the situation, he said.

He said Mr. Narvekar's statement was an insult to BJP members, who were upset with the dismissal of the Governor. "They have been tolerating such behaviour of the some Opposition members for a long time and now they have exploded," he said.

Minister quits

Mr. Parrikar said the Minister for Forest, Vinay Tendulkar, had tendered resigned one day ahead of the deadline to downsize the ministry and he had forwarded the same to the Governor. The present Cabinet strength was 13 and with effect from July 7, it had to be 12 as per the 97th amendment to the Constitution. Mr. Parrikar said the portfolios held by Mr. Tendulkar would vest with him and Mr. Tendulkar would be given a "certain" responsibility.

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