Panaji: NCP Tuesday came out in support of
former Goa minister Fransisco Pacheco, the prime accused in
the death of a woman friend, saying the party was with the
legislator but he would have to give `agni pariksha` by facing
the law.
"The party is with him. Mickey will have to give agni
pariksha by facing the law. He cannot escape the law," NCP Goa
spokesman Avinash Bhonsle said.
Commenting on the issue for the first time, local NCP
leaders said that they were with Pacheco, who is going through
tough times.
Pacheco is on the run as the Crime Branch probing Nadia
Torrado`s death has named him as an accused in the case.
Bhonsle alleged that Pacheco has been targeted by a few
Congress leaders from South Goa after his success in holding
massive NCP convention in his village.
"Salcette taluka (where the convention was held) is a
Congress bastion. The local leaders were baffled looking at
the response for NCP there," he said.
NCP also demanded that Nilkant Halarnkar, party
legislator inducted in the Cabinet in place of Pacheco, be
given the same portfolios which Pacheco held before he stepped
down due to controversy surrounding Nadia`s death.
"Congress has to adhere to coalition dharma... these
portfolios were given to NCP as a part of coalition and
Halarnkar should get them," Bhonsle said.
Pacheco was holding tourism, port and housing board
portfolios.
PTI
