Media spreading rumours: CM

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday blamed the national media, especially the electronic media, for spreading rumours that his government might fall.

Hordes of journalists are camping in the tiny state, which is hosting the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'chintan baithak'.

However, none of the BJP leaders are stepping out of the Goa International Centre at Dona Paula, to talk to the media.

"The media was upset as they had no news to report. The Congress seized the opportunity to spread the rumours of toppling my government and created confusion," said Parrikar.

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As soon as former minister Micky Pacheco on Saturday morning declared that he was withdrawing support to the BJP-lead coalition, at least two TV news channels flashed the news that the government had come under threat as two more legislators might join Pacheco.

According to Parrikar, it was the Congress that told Pacheco to withdraw support at the time of 'chintan baithak' and spread rumours.

The CM said that Pacheco's withdrawal did not weaken his government in any manner since his support was not expected after he was dropped from the Cabinet last month.

Pacheco, last month, had announced that he would continue supporting the government in spite of being dropped. He withdrew the support on Saturday, at the fag end of the ongoing assembly session.

Also Read BJP's Goa govt on shaky ground