Cong, MGP to form coalition in Goa

The move has come in the backdrop of a decade of political uncertainty in the State which saw the toppling of several governments due to defections and charges of horse-trading, as no party had gained majority.

“Goa had gone through a bad patch of political life in the last 10 years,” Khalap said, adding that his party had taken the decision to “end this tamasha”.

Congress had gained absolute majority in the Assembly elections held in the first week of June by bagging 23 out of 40 seats. It also has the support of one Independent.

Scindia said all formalities for forming the coalition would be completed in Goa and “we are open to sharing for power. There will be no problem”.

He, however, made it clear that the six-member Ministry could be expanded by only two as “we have given a commitment to people that the number of ministers would not be beyond a certain limit”.

He parried questions whether the MGP would be offered Deputy Chief Ministership and whether Congress was planning any alliance with that party in the coming Lok Sabha polls.