After Death of BJP MLA, Congress Stakes Claim to Form Govt in Goa

The Congress said the BJP-led government under Manohar Parrikar has lost the strength of the House.

Image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: The Quint)

The Congress party on Saturday, 16 March, staked claim to form the government in Goa, saying that the incumbent BJP-led state government, under Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, has lost the strength of the House.

In a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha, Leader of Opposition and Congress Legislature Party leader Chandrakant Kavlekar said:

“Consequent upon the sad demise of Francis D’Souza, MLA, who was belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), it is humbly submitted that the incumbent BJP-led state government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar, which has long lost the trust of the people, has also lost the strength of the House.”

Congress leader’s letter to the Governor

Congress leader’s letter to the Governor(Photo: ANI)

Soon after the Congress staked claim, the Goa BJP called for a meeting of its MLAs in the Panaji office on Saturday.

Calling for the dismissal of the BJP-led government, the letter stated that the Congress is the single-largest party in the House and is presently enjoying the majority, and should be called upon to form the government.

The letter also warned of any attempt to bring the state under President’s Rule, saying it will “undemocratic and illegal and will be challenged”.

The strength of the Goa Assembly has reduced from 40 to 37 after the death of D'Souza and resignation of two MLAs – Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte.

While the Congress currently has 14 MLAs, down from 16 after Sopte and Shirodkar left it to join the BJP, the latter has 13 MLAs.

Three MLAs of the Goa Forward Party, three of the MGP, three Independents and the lone NCP legislator are supporting the BJP.

Bypolls to the seats previously held by Sopte, Shirodkar and D'Souza are to be held along with Lok Sabha polls in the state on 23 April.

(With inputs from PTI.)