Cong MLA Resigns From Party in Goa, Refuses to Comment on Rahul

Twenty-two MLAs pledged their support to Manohar Parrikar.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assumes charge of his office in Panaji on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

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• 22 MLAs pledged their support to the Manohar Parrikar-led BJP government
  
• Goa holds swearing-in for MLAs
  
• Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of ‘stealing’ governments in Manipur, Goa
  
• Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane resigns from party
  

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 5:14 PM

Congress MLA Submits Resignation

On Thursday afternoon, Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane resigned from the party as well as MLA.

With a heavy heart, I have submitted my resignation as member of Congress party today. It makes me sad.

Speaking on his resignation from the party, Rane added:

Leaders like me will start leaving Congress all over country because people who come as observers are unable to assess the situation.

When asked about Rahul Gandhi, he said he has no comments.

I have not got any reply from him (Rahul Gandhi), I have no hopes for the same. I don’t want to comment on him.

This development comes after Rane walked out of the state Assembly before the floor test earlier in the day.

Also Read: Congress MLA Quits Party, Will Contest Polls From Local Goa Party

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 10:48 PM

BJP Wins Floor Test

22 MLAs pledged their support to Manohar Parrikar-led BJP in Goa assembly. Among them are 13 BJP MLAs, three MLAs from Goa Forward Party, three MLAs from MGP and three Independent candidates.

The Congress, which bagged 17 seats in the Goa Assembly, fell short of four seats. Following a rift within the Congress, Vishwajit Rane accused the Congress leaders of being sluggish and failing to form a majority despite winning a larger share of seats in the election. He walked out of the Assembly after Congress lost the floor test.

The Assembly Elections in Goa threw up a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging the largest party with 17 seats. The BJP won 13, while the GFP, the MGP and Independent candidates won three seats each. The NCP won one, while the AAP walked away empty handed.

In a setback to opposition, the SC refused to stay the swearing in of BJP leader Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister of Goa and ordered a floor test on 16 March. Parrikar was sworn-in as Goa CM on 14 March.

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 5:11 PM

We Won, No MLAs Were Kept in Hotels: Parrikar

“Digvijaya’s claims that they (Congress) have numbers have been debunked,” Parrikar said.

The Speaker made us stand up. So it was clear that we had the support of 22 MLAs to those watching the national television. No MLAs were kept in hotels... This happens when you come to Goa only to enjoy yourself. Right from the beginning they didn’t have numbers. On 22nd we’ll hold Speaker’s selection, on 24th we’ll present the budget. 

Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 1:17 PM

BJP 'Stole' Governments in Manipur, Goa: Rahul

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of forming government through dishonest means. He said:

Congress won in Manipur and Goa. BJP used monetary means to steal governments in those states.

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 12:18 PM

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Assembly Session Underway

The Goa Assembly session is currently underway. The MLAs are being sworn-in before holding the floor test.

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 11:40 AM

I'm With the Congress: Vishwajit Rane

(Photo: ANI)

Vishwajit Rane, who had blamed the Congress leadership’s “slow decision making” for the party’s failure to form the government, expressed his support for the party on Thursday.

Also Read: Renuka Chowdhury Wants Digvijaya Singh Sacked, Angered by Goa Loss

After Congress failed to prove majority, Rane said that he had written to Rahul Gandhi about his reservations.

If he (Rahul Gandhi) doesn’t respond, then me and some others will decide if it is ideal to stay in party... As of now, I am with Congress party. I am going to vote for Congress.

Also Read: No Horse-Trading, Congress MLAs Want to Join BJP: Goa CM Parrikar

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 5:11 PM

Parrikar Reaches State Assembly Ahead of Floor Test

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar reaches the state assembly, ahead of the floor test at the special session today.

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 12:18 PM

Opposition Accuses BJP Of "Stealing Mandate"

After the declaration of Goa Assembly election results, the Congress and the BJP clashed over government formation in Goa.

The Congress accused the BJP of "stealing" the mandate of people using money power. The Shiv Sena attacked the BJP’s move to form government in alliance with smaller parties, terming it as a "murder of democracy".

In a setback to opposition, the SC refused to stay the swearing in of BJP leader Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister of Goa and ordered a floor test on 16 March. Parrikar was sworn-in as Goa CM on 14 March.

Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 9:41 AM

BJP Stakes Claim To Form Goa Govt

The Assembly Elections in Goa threw up a hung assembly, with the Congress emerging the largest party with 17 seats. The BJP won 13, while the GFP, the MGP and Independent candidates won three seats each. The NCP won one, while the AAP walked away empty handed.

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the Goa Forward party announced their support to the BJP, after which Parrikar said that another independent MLA had backed the coalition. With this, the BJP claims to have the support of 22, more than the halfway mark in the 40-member House.

“We have the numbers to form the government. We have more than 21 MLAs with us with the support of alliance partners,” Goa BJP unit General Secretary Sadanand Tanawade told reporters.

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Updated at:16th Mar, 2017 at 9:41 AM