BJP to stake claim to form Goa government

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led formation said they will stake the claim to form the next government in Goa before Governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan on Thursday afternoon.

The governor is out of station and is expected to arrive on this morning, Raj Bhavan sources said.

"We will stake the claim before the governor. If he does not give us chance, we will defeat the government on the floor of the House," BJP leader Manohar Parrikar told reporters.

"The govenor has to abide by the Constitution. Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party has withdrawn the support while a woman Congress legislator Victoria Fernandes has resigned reducing the Congress-led formation to minority," Parrikar said.

The 49-day Digamber Kamat-led government was sworn in on June 8 after Congress got majority during the June 2 Goa Assembly election.

Congress with 16 legislators, NCP three, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party with two MLAs along with two more independents had formed the government.

BJP with its 14 legislators had become the main opposition party, while the two legislator-strong Save Goa Front and United Goans Democratic party with its lone legislator had given outside support to the Kamat-led government.

"All the parties are participating in the government. We are not taking any outside support. Everyone is with us," Parrikar said.

Parrikar, admitting that he will be leading the political formation, ruled out that the BJP is encouraging defections in the state.

"Victoria (Fernandes) has resigned because she was humiliated by the party. We have not taken support of any other Congress legislator," he reasoned.

The late night development has left the Kamat-led government in minority.