Hours after the demise of Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, the Goa unit of Congress formally claimed to form a government in the state to Governor Mridula Sinha.
Goa Congress leaders Girish Chodakar and Chandrakantdada Kavlekar wrote a letter to the Goa Governor, staking claim to form Government in the state.
In the letter, the Goa Unit of Congress also expressed their grief on the demise of Goa CM.
Goa Congress leaders Girish Chodankar and Chandrakant Kavlekar write letter to Goa Governor, Mridula Sinha staking claim to form Government in the state. pic.twitter.com/vqFU6gBTUi
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019
The Congress claimed to be the single largest party in the 36-member Goa Assembly.
In the letter to Governor of Goa, Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar said that the coalition allies had aligned with the BJP in 2017 with a written condition that it would support a BJP-led government only if Mr. Parrikar leads the coalition as Chief Minister.
Now, in view of Mr. Parrikar’s demise, BJP is left with no allies.
Also, Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward party who is an ally of the government in the state of Goa said that their party supported Manohar Parrikar and not BJP. He asserted that options are open for them.
Also reported that he said one of the suggestions was to make a non-MLA the next Chief Minister, which was also being considered.
Vijai Sardesai, Goa Forward Party: We had given support to Manohar Parrikar not BJP. Now that he is not anymore, options are open. We want stability in Goa, we don't want dissolution of house. We'll wait for the decision at the BJP legislature meeting & then take the next step. pic.twitter.com/C9nOHTQkRQ
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019
However, MLAs from alliance parties, including, Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, and three independents joined the BJP MLAs and leaders in the meeting scheduled at the private residence of the late CM.
They were expected to meet Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to formulate a strategy to form a government in the state.
The demise of Mr. Manohar Parrikar, who represented the Panaji assembly seat, will also bring in a necessity of a fourth by-poll in Goa, where by-elections are scheduled for the Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa assembly constituencies on April 23.
These will held in the state of Goa along with the Lok Sabha polls.
“With CM Parrikar’s demise, the ruling coalition will have to make a fresh representation to the Governor after choosing their leader. The representation will have the letter of support”, a senior official from State Legislature Department told PTI.
Also reported that ,”If the Governor is not convinced, then she will have to invite the single largest party to form government”, the official said.
Presently, Congress has 14 MLAs , BJP has 12, MGP has 3, Goa Forward has 3 and Nationalist Congress has 1.
Also, there are 3 independent MLAs.