Cong gets majority in Goa polls

The Congress, which had failed to get absolute majority in the 8217;94 elections when it had secured just 18 seats, this time won a majority of its seats 12 from its traditional stronghold of South Goa dominated by Catholic Christians.

However, the celebrations within the Congress camp could be short-lived as five of its own stalwarts 8212; Pratapsinh Rane, Ravi Naik, Luzinho Faleiro, Dayanand Narvekar and Fransisco Sardinha 8212; havealmost spoilt the party by staking claim for the top job.

Narvekar, who brought down the governments of Pratapsinh Rane and Wilfred D8217;Souza last year, today filed the first salvo. 8220;As a senior Congressman, I should be made the chief minister,8221; Narvekar told reporters in Panaji. Similar sentiments were expressed by the other aspirants in different parts of the state.

Congress state unit president, Luzinho Faleiro, who won from Navelim constituency with a handsome margin, told reporters 8220;I was asked to lead the party in the elections and with the help of my partymen and the people, the Congress has received a decisive mandate to form the government on its own8221;.