Differences bound to occur but NCP supports Goa Govt: Tariq

Panaji, Jan 11 (UNI) The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today categorically ruled out withdrawing support to the Congress-led coalition government in Goa despite recurrence of differences in governance.

''Differences and problems are bound to occur in coalition politics. But there is no question of withdrawing our support to the Congress-led government in Goa,'' said the NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar.

Interacting with mediapersons before addressing the party leaders here, Mr Anwar said Digambar Kamat should give representation to more NCP leaders in the government so that the latter could work with more confidence and trust.

''The Congress, as the bigger party in the coalition government, should take the initiative in taking us into confidence like in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Gujarat and the Centre. This benefits the government itself and avoids disputes,'' he said.

The NCP leader said the government should continue to fulfil the aspirations of the people, particularly the common man, and therefore, the party has extended its unequivocal support for the cause.

The government had taken appropriate decision by withdrawing from the special economic zones (SEZ), which smaller state like Goa did not require, Mr Anwar said.

The NCP's Goa unit president Dr Wilfred D'Souza renewed his plea with the government for giving adequate representation to the NCP leaders in the govenment, besides offering desired portfolios.

He, however, hastened to add that the party did not demand any change of leadership in Goa.

''It was the lookout of the Congress leadership but not our concern, though we are not happy with the performance of the government and response to our demands,'' he said.

The former chief minister, however, expressed happiness over the decision of the government to scrap the SEZs on popular demand.

He wished it would scrap the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat Project at Dona Paula Plateau also, which itself was a ''big land scandal'' with only four beneficiaries being the IT entrepreneurs and the rest of 14 realtors.

Prominent among those who attended the meeting included Tourism Minister Francisco Xavier (Micky) Pascheco, Revenue Minister Jose Phillip D'Souza, parliamentary secretary Neelakanth Harlankar, party general secretary Surendra Furtado and foremr speaker of the state Legislative Assembly Surendra Sirsat.

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