Congress claims it has numbers to form government in Goa
What's the story
Congress today claimed that it has the support of over 21 legislators in the 40-member Assembly, giving it enough strength to form the government in Goa.
This comes as Goa's current CM Manohar Parrikar (62) is undergoing treatment in AIIMS Delhi.
Yesterday the Opposition party, which is the single-largest party with 16 MLAs, had a talk with the Governor in this regard.
Floor test
Congress legislators demanded floor test by BJP to prove majority
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar confirmed this without disclosing "whom we are in discussions with."
They had met Governor Mridula Sinha yesterday and demanded a floor test by BJP-led government to prove its majority in the Assembly.
Kavlekar said his party was waiting for a response from Sinha, who had assured them that she would get back on this issue in three-four days.
BJP tiff
Kavlekar says there is a lot of discontent among BJP
Kavlekar claimed there was a lot of "discontent" among the ruling coalition partners.
"You've seen how the BJP observers came to Goa and met their legislators and alliance-partners. They're also talking about inviting a leader from one of the allies to head the government.
"This has created a bitter situation as allowing one alliance partner to head the coalition will upset another," he said.
Information
Some BJP members coming to us with proposals: Kavlekar
Kavlekar also claimed that a section within the BJP was upset over the possibility of a leader being "imported" from outside and was in touch with the Congress for joining the Opposition party. "We needn't go to anyone. They are coming to us with proposals."
Claims
BJP might force elections, dissolution of Assembly: Congress
Kavlekar had earlier said the BJP might force the dissolution of the Assembly and another election in just a year-and-a-half.
The Assembly polls in Goa were held last February. Congress legislators have urged the governor not to allow the Assembly to be dissolved.
Meanwhile, BJP, from its side, has deputed senior leaders to take stock of the political situation in Goa.
Counter point
Allies would abide by any decision taken by us: BJP
The party had assigned this job to its national general secretary Ram Lal and other senior leaders, who said on Monday that the state government was stable and there was no demand for a leadership change.
They held a meeting with BJP MLAs, former-legislators and core committee members.
"Even our allies have conveyed that they would abide by decisions taken by us," Lal said.
Goa govt
Background of the ruling Goa government
The state is currently being ruled by the BJP with the support of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Independent MLAs.
The BJP has 14 seats in the Assembly, the GFP and the MGP have three each and the NCP has one.
There are also three Independent legislators.