Highlights: Congress stakes claim to form govt in Goa, claims BJP numbers may further ‘dwindle’

In a letter to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Congress leader and leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar staked claim to form the government and demanded dismissal of the BJP-led state government. At present, Congress has the majority in the house at 14, followed by BJP with 13 MLAs.

By: Express Web Desk
New Delhi, Panaji | Updated: March 17, 2019 11:09 AM IST

Congress stakes claim to form govt in Goa, says attempt for President's rule will be illegal

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. (Source: PTI)

The Congress on Saturday staked claim to form the government in Goa, claiming that the Manohar Parrikar-led dispensation has lost its majority in the Assembly following the demise of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza. BJP, on the other hand, has called an “urgent meeting” of the party MLAs in its Panaji office. At present, Congress has the majority in the house at 14, followed by BJP with 13 MLAs.

Read | Manohar Parrikar’s health condition stable: Goa CMO

In a letter to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Congress leader and leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar demanded the dismissal of the BJP-led state government. “Incumbent BJP led state government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar, which has long lost the trust of the people, has also lost the strength of the house,” Kavlekar wrote while demanding that the Congress be called to form the government.

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Goa forward and independent MLAs have gone to Parrikar’s residence seeking a meeting. Follow Highlights Read in Bangla

21:33 (IST)16 Mar 2019

Manohar Parrikar will remain the Chief Minister of Goa, there's no change in that: Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo

Giving details on the BJP meeting that just concluded, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said, "An emergency meeting was called to finalise candidates for bypolls in three constituencies."

When asked if there will be a new chief minister for Goa, he said, " Manohar Parrikar will remain the Chief Minister of BJP as of now. There is no demand for changing leadership of the party."

21:06 (IST)16 Mar 2019

Manohar Parrikar is 'stable', says Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai

On reports that CM Parrikar's health has deteriorated, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai said "he is stable".

"Don't ask me medical terms. I am not making myself open to interpretations. This is not right. You have to respect his privacy. We are with him. CM's office is saying he is stable," Sardesai Said.

According to a PTI report, Parrikar may not be physically present for poll campaignings. "Yes, it will be first time that Parrikar may not be physically present for campaigning but he is monitoring all election matters from home," said BJP MLA and Deputy Speaker of Assembly Michael Lobo.

20:51 (IST)16 Mar 2019

We are facing two elections: BJP MLA Mauvin Gudinho

The BJP meeting has concluded. Cabinet minister and BJP MLA Mauvin Gudinho hinted that the meeting was about elections and that all the MLAs were taken into confidence. "We are facing two elections. All MLAs were taken into confidence as the names have to be sent to central committee of BJP, " he said, reports Express reporter Smita Nair.

20:07 (IST)16 Mar 2019

Congress issues second statement, seeks appointment to present at Raj Bhawan again

Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar wrote another letter to Governor again seeking appointment to be present at Raj Bhawan. The earlier request was unheard and not responded.

20:02 (IST)16 Mar 2019

I don't know the agenda of this meeting: BJP MLA

BJP MLA Glen Ticlo says “I don't know the agenda of this meeting. We were called urgently and I am here. What is the emergency of this meeting I dnt know. I checked on health of CM and was told he is stable," reports Smita Nair.

19:55 (IST)16 Mar 2019

Goa forward and independent MLAs reach residence of Goa CM

Meanwhile, Goa forward and independent MLAs have gone to Manohar Parrikar’s residence seeking a meeting.

19:52 (IST)16 Mar 2019

State BJP calls for a meeting follwing Congress letter to Guv

Following Congress' action, state BJP called for an immediate meeting. Nilesh Cabral, Rajesh Patnekar, Milind Naik, Pramod Sawant, Alina Saldanha walked in for BJP meeting. Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo is also attending the meeting which is ongoing.

Photo by Express Photo by Smita Nair

19:47 (IST)16 Mar 2019

Goa Congress writes letter to Guv, demands to dismiss Parrikar-led BJP govt

The Goa Congress wrote a letter to the Governor Mridula Sinha asking her to dismiss the BJP-led state government. The Congress stated that the strength of the BJP in the 40- member state legislative assembly could "dwindle further" and warned Sinha from recommending President's rule in the state. Below is the letter.

The Congress said the “the numbers of the BJP may further dwindle” in the Goa Assembly." Kavlekar's letter warned that "any action in violation of the constitutional mandate to invite the single largest party to form the government and any attempt made to bring the state under President's Rule will be undemocratic, and illegal and will be challenged, as deemed fit".

The Congress was the single largest party with 17 MLAs when the election results were declared in February 2017. But the party lost three MLAs to the BJP, which then went on to formed the government.

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