3 min readNew DelhiMar 13, 2017 03:06 PM IST
First published on: Mar 12, 2017 at 09:18 PM IST
Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. (Express Photo)
Manohar Parrikar was appointed Chief Minister of Goa by Governor Mridula Sinha Sunday. Earlier this evening, members of the BJP met Sinha to stake claim to form the government after garnering the support of three MLAs from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, three from Goa Forward Party and two independent MLAs. In addition to the 13 seats BJP won, the saffron party proved it had majority in the 40-member Assembly.
The Governor asked Parrikar to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly within 15 days of taking oath.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari earlier today announced in a presParrikar as the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate in Goa. He also asserted that it would require Parrikar to step down from his position of Defence Minister.
Following his press conference, Parrikar has said that the date for swearing-in will be decided once Sinha’s invitation to form the government is received. “We met the Governor and are expecting an invitation. Once we receive it, we will consult our colleagues and decide the date for swearing in,” Manohar Parrikar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Parrikar also spoke about his tenure as the Defence Minister saying: “Definitely it was difficult as it was a new department. But I am happy no corruption allegation levelled on our government.”
“This is a mandate given by the people, though we fell short of majority. Together we have completed the magic figure of 21,” Parrikar added.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form the government in the coastal state after the Goa Forward Party (GFP), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and independents reportedly offered to lend their support to the saffron party. Meanwhile, state unit chief Vinay Tendulkar said BJP central leadership has agreed that Manohar Parrikar should head the BJP legislature party in Goa.
The BJP has won 13 seats in the state polls. It also has the support of a party-backed independent MLA, while the MGP, the GFP and independents have won three seats each. Both the Congress, which won 17 seats, and the BJP are wooing the smaller parties to form government in the 40-member House, where the majority mark is 21.
Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. (Express Photo)
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