Date:08/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/08/stories/2007060809171200.htm

National

BJP lost to money power, says Parrikar

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: The former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, unanimously re-elected leader of the legislature party of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, said `blatant use of money power' by rival parties was primarily the reason for the BJP's loss in the just-concluded State Assembly polls.

Promising to work as a constructive opposition, Mr. Parrikar said there was also distribution of TV sets, motor cycles and other goodies by rival candidates in several constituencies to lure voters.

He singled out some constituencies like Pale, Sanvordem and Curchorem where "abusive use of money by the rival candidates, had defeated BJP candidates."

Mr. Parrikar ridiculed the Congress argument of a "mandate," and said, "what they have got is a fractured mandate."

He said that as against the Congress tally of 18 MLAs after the 2005 by-elections in five constituencies, which saw the Congress-led alliance back to power, it has now been reduced to 16. The Congress has pointed out that it retained its tally of 16 seats in the 2002 election.

Mr. Parrikar doubted the stability of a Government that does not have a clear majority and has to resort to the crutches of a number of alliance partners including independents.