The Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa on Thursday admitted that the resignation of its member of legislative assembly, Digambar Kamat, on Thursday was a major setback.

The party, however, claimed it is still confident of defeating the Congress-led government in the assembly on February 28, when a trial of strength will take place on the floor of the House.

"We accept that it is a setback to the party. However, it still does not change the bigger scenario. With so many new developments, who knows what will happen on February 28," former chief minister Manohar Parrikar said.

Asked whether he will defeat the confidence vote with Speaker Vishwas Satarkar's help, the former CM said, "It will be managed through the Congress benches." He, however, declined to elaborate.

Parrikar said Kamat was blackmailed by the Congress. "There are other reasons for Kamat's resignation," he alleged.

With Kamat's resignation, the BJP now has 17 members in the assembly, while the ruling Congress-led alliance has 18.

Governor S C Jamir had installed Pratapsinh Rane as CM on February 2, after the Parrikar government was dismissed just hours after winning a controversial vote of confidence.

Earlier reports:
Goa CM set to win confidence vote
Goa: BJP hopes to win MLAs over with Jaipur trip
Goa CM allocates portfolios