New Delhi: Congress leader in charge of Goa Digvijaya Singh was today at the receiving end when Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar deliberately thanked him for handing the state to the BJP on a platter, saying that while the former was ''roaming around in Goa, I was able to form the Government in Goa''.
The newly appointed BJP Chief Minister was able to wrest government formation from Congress, despite not having adequate numbers with the support of smaller parties and Independents. Furious Congress members broke into jeers when Mr Parrikar entered the Rajya Sabha during the fag end of Zero Hour, his first appearance since resigning as Union Defence Minister earlier this month, Even as Mr Parrikar attempted to thank all for the support extended to him, Mr Singh protested to the chair, saying he should not be allowed to speak as he had ''killed democracy in Goa'' amid the ensuing din.
Mr Parrikar thanked all for supporting him as Defence Minister, before pointedly thanking Mr Digvijaya Singh, ''I also thank Mr Digvijaya Singhji, because he was roaming around in Goa and I was able to form the Government in Goa.'' Loud jeers emanated from the Opposition Congress benches as its members tried to drown the former union minister's words. Mr Singh could be heard saying over the din ''he has stolen the mandate of Goa...we will not allow him to speak.'' Mr Parrikar who made his entry at the time when Congress member Rajani Patel was making her .
When Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announced that the new CM was in the House. At this Mr Digvijaya Singh loudly protested, saying Mr Parrikar had no right to be the Chief Minister of Goa as his party had lost the mandate of the people. ''I strongly object to this...the people of Goa defeated -- the people of Goa had voted
his party out.''
Led by Digvijaya Singh and B K Hariprasad, the Congress and BJP members raised slogans and counter slogans. To restore order, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien also rose to his feet. As Ms Patel finished her question, Mr Parrikar again stood up but this time several Congress and BJP Members were on their feet shouting slogans loudly. Congress members including Rajeev Gowda and Hussain Dalwai then entered the Well to raise slogans. At this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi quipped that Mr Parrikar wanted to extend a special thanks to Mr Digvijaya Singh. (UNI)
