Goa CM may be put to test

‘‘Now that the government has been reduced to a minority… I now propose to test on the floor of the house. That is the only way that I can ascertain…without delay,’’ Governor Jamir told NDTV.

Later, his office issued a statement detailing Jamir’s meetings with various political groups since yesterday, though there was no mention of when the CM would be asked to prove his majority.

Parrikar told reporters that he needed time till Tourism Minister and lone MLA from the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), Matanhy Saldanha, returns from abroad.

Parrikar is banking on Saldanha’s support to spoil Congress plans. A long-term opponent of the Congress, Saldanha said he would vote for Parrikar in defiance of the party leadership, which too has shifted to the Congress. ‘‘The Governor takes decisions on the basis of Constitutional provisions and not on whims and fancies,’’ said Parrikar, adding that he has written a letter to the Governor, saying he’s ready to prove his majority in the Assembly.

The state government was reduced to a minority yesterday when four BJP MLAs resigned their seats. One Independent MLA and another minister from the regional Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) too withdrew support, reducing the BJP to just 16 members in the 40-member House.

The Assembly strength has been effectively reduced to 37 after Speaker Vishwas Satarkar accepted the resignation letters of three of the four MLAs. Satarkar is yet accept the resignation of Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, saying that the BJP leader may have quit under duress.

Meanwhile, United Legislative Party (ULP), the Congress-led alliance has claimed the support of 19 MLAs. The party has also alleged that the ‘‘delay’’ in Satarkar giving resignation acceptance letters to the four BJP MLAs had prolonged the political crisis.