Parrikar to begin with team of 13

Dispelling the initial impression that he may take oath with a few ministers tomorrow and later go for an expansion, he declared, ‘‘I would like to form it in a single shot rather than doing it piecemeal.’’

He indicated that the four MLAs from outside the BJP, whose support had enabled him to return to power, were likely to be rewarded with offices. Given the two posts of the Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker, 15 of the 21 MLAs backing Parrikar are all set to enjoy the perks of power.

Referring to the results, he said, ‘‘It’s a vote for the BJP, political stability, good governance and development. I thank my party leadership, particularly Pramodji (Union Communications Minister Pramod Mahajan), who managed the election. It is the first BJP victory after defeats in several state elections. The Goans, by giving 18 seats to us, have given us exactly one seat for each month in office.’’

‘‘We pulled each other along and it worked,’’ he said when asked who, in his view had helped the other, Parrikar or the BJP. As for the gamble of going in for snap polls, he said, ‘‘It certainly worked.’’

It is a great relief, not being saddled with 11 former Congress members in a total of 21, he said. ‘‘With a solid 17-member BJP group at my back, I will be much more effective now.’’

Speaking about the Congress defeat, he said that the Goans wanted stability and the party’s failure on this count worked against it. They did not want to vote for the party, which had given them 13 chief ministers in as many years. The Gujarat cassettes were of no avail.