Cong legislators threaten to topple Goa govt on Pacheco issue

"These (legislators) are serious about their threat. If a group pulls out from the government, then serious crisis is likely to occur," Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Subhash Shirodkar told reporters outside chief minister's residence in Panaji.

A group of ten Congress legislators has threatened to dethrone the state government, if Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Fransisco Mickey Pacheco is inducted in the cabinet.

They have said that Congress High Command should immediately come down to Goa and sort out the crisis.

However, Shirodkar said that the party is trying to sort out the matter at local level without involving the High Command in it.

"If the matter is not sorted out by evening then we will approach the High Command," he said.

The GPCC President said that the Congress party has no issues in inducting Pacheco in the cabinet, except for the dissidents, who are getting vociferous in their demands.

Responding to a question, Shirodkar said that the dissidents are partially justified in opposing Pacheco's induction. The leader, however, refused to speak further on the issue.

Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, who is directed by NCP chief Sharad Pawar to drop two of its ministers and induct Pacheco, met Goa Governor Dr S S Sidhu in the morning.

The Chief Minister said that he has briefed the Governor about the political situation.