BJP Oppn would not succeed in toppling game in Goa: Ravi

Panaji, Jun 16 (UNI) The BJP opposition will not succeed in ''toppling'' the Congress-led coalition government, which, however would complete its full five-year term in Goa, says GPCC president and Minister without portfolio Ravi S Naik.

''The opposition will not succeed in toppling our government. We will complete our full five year term in office,'' a confident Ravi told media persons at the Congress House here today.

He was reacting to the statement of opposition leader Manohar Parrikar that the BJP would explore the possibility of forming the government after sometime with no party getting the full mandate of the electorate.

Mr Parrikar said this immediately after all the newly-elected members of the 5th Goa Legislative Assembly were sworn in during the first session of the assembly which also unanimously elected former chief minister Pratapsinh Rane as the new speaker.

Mr Ravi had further ruled out the possibility of offering the post of deputy speaker to the BJP saying the party had not yet discussed over the issue.

Asked who will replace him as the new GPCC chief, he said, it was for the party high command to decide under the ''one man-one post'' norm.

''I have no choice of my own but have to abide by the decision of the high command whichever way it decides, either as the minister or the party chief in Goa,'' he said.

There was, however, no rule as to whether the GPCC chief should be Catholic or a Hindu if the chief minister was a Hindu or vice versa.

It might be recalled that Ravi was in the hot race for the coveted post of chief minister along with Rane till the last minute when Digambar Kamat emerged as a dark horse.

Asked why cabinet expansion had been delayed though the ministry was formed on June 8, Mr Ravi said it was for the chief minister and the high command to decide. He however, denied any pulls and pressures on cabinet expansion.

Under the norm, Goa with 40-member House, was entitled to have 12-member cabinet including the chief minister.

The NCP coalition partner demanded cabinet berth to all its three legislators. One of them Jose Philip D'Souza had already been sworn in along with Ravi and MGP leader Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavlikar on June 9.

The ruling Congress with a 16-member strength in the House, is backed by the NCP-3, MGP-2 and Independents-2. The Oppposition BJP has a strength of 14.

The two-member Save Goa Front, led by Congress rebel Churchill Alemao and the lone UGDP member Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate were also backing the government from outside on ''issue to issue basis''.

UNI