Goa slipped into that familiar mode of political uncertainty once again with the Manohar Parrikar-led BJP government tottering on the brink of collapse. Two days after he was sacked, former minister Antanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate sought his revenge by getting three other party MLAs to quit the BJP, reducing the government to a minority. The Opposition Congress, of course, lost no time in staking claim to form the government, triggering off speculation of horsetrading and bargains. However, Parrikar claimed after meeting Governor S C Jamir tonight that the BJP government would first be given an opportunity to prove its majority in the Assembly. Half-way into its term, it’s the first major crisis for the government in Goa while goverments had changed thrice in the last term. Known for his money and muscle power, Monserrate roped in fellow party MLAs Isidore Fernandes, Pandurang Madkaikar and Mickey Pachecho in his revolt against Parrikar. A first-time MLA, Monserrate is reported to have interests in money-lending and construction. While relieving him of his Town and Country Planning ministry, Parrikar had cited charges of ‘‘administrative corruption’’. Besides, two other ministers—PWD Minister Sudhin Dhavlikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Water Resources Minister Philip Neri Rodrigues (Independent)—who were lending outside support to the Parrikar government have also quit. They are now backing the Congress. The 40-member Goa Assembly has 21 BJP MLAs, 15 Congress, 1 NCP, 1 Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, 1 United Goans Democratic Party and 1 Independent. Now, the BJP is down to 17 MLAs, including Speaker Vishwas Sadarkar. Ironically, Pachecho had merged his United Goans Democratic Party (Secular) with the BJP only a couple of days back. Fernandes, on the other hand, had quit the Congress just three months back, contesting and winning his Poinguinium seat on a BJP ticket. Monserrate was reported to have deployed his finances and men in winning this Congress stronghold. Under the new anti-defection law, all four BJP rebels will have to seek re-election. ‘‘We are confident that Monserrate will get us elected,’’ said one of them. Interestingly, in a letter to Governor Jamir, Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha of the UGDP has decided to stay with Parrikar. But his party president, Radharao Gracias, said the UGDP would back the Congress. Staking its claim to form the government, the Congress paraded its 15 members as well as the four BJP rebels, the two ministers who withdrew their support today, and the lone NCP MLA Wilfred de Souza. ‘‘It is now the responsibility of the Congress party to form a secular government in Goa,’’ said AICC general secretary in charge of Goa Margaret Alva, who accompanied the MLAs. But Parrikar promised to spring a few surprises on the floor of the Assembly. ‘‘I have the support of a few Congress MLAs who will resign from the House,’’ he told The Sunday Express. ‘‘The Governor is playing partisan politics and trying to topple the government.’’ And, indicating the horse-trading that is likely to follow, Dhavalikar said: ‘‘Though I have resigned from Parrikar’s Cabinet, it does not mean I have withdrawn support to the BJP.’’ This just one hour after accompanying the Congress MLAs to Raj Bhavan.
