GPCC chief denies toppling game by pro-sez lobby in Goa

Panaji, Jul 17 (UNI) GPCC Chief Francisco Sardinha, MP, today denied reports of a ''fresh topping game'' by a 11-member group of legislators, who were identified as ''pro-SEZ lobby''.

Talking to UNI at the Congress House here, Mr Sardinha said, he was not aware of any such moves as reported in a section of the media.

He said the coalition government headed by Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat was stable and continued to be the same.

The players in the destabilisation game, according to reports, include unattached legislator from Taleigao Atanasio Monserrate, who had been making vain attempts for long to find cabinet berth, since he extended his support to Mr Kamat government.

The three NCP legislators, including two ministers were also reportedly not happy with the way the Congress was functioning without giving adequate representation to the NCP office bearers in the government positions.

It might be recalled that Mr Kamat had survived two ''coup'' attempts by his own partymen and coalition partners so far since he assumed office on June 8 last year.

On more than one occasion, Mr Kamat pledged his loyalty to the betterment of the ''aam aadmi'' (commonman), whether in or out of power as a loyal soldier of the party.

He had emerged as a ''dark horse'' in the race for chief ministership in which, veteran and five times Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane and another youngster from Bahujan Samaj Ravi S Naik were the aspirants.

Mr Rane, who is now the speaker of the state legislative assembly, made it clear in the wake of the two coups that he was not interested for the post of the Chief Minister and that he was much happier as the speaker.

Mr Naik, who is now the Home Minister, had recently undergone bypass surgery and been recuperating from a throat affliction following the surgery.

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