Goa CM to meet Modi in Delhi after exit polls
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is in Delhi on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the state assembly election results. Sadanand Shet Tanavade, the state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is also in Delhi on Tuesday for the meeting. Reportedly, the meeting was scheduled to begin at 12 noon to discuss the possible formation of the Sawant government.
Why does this story matter?
The BJP's influence over Goa has relatively waned as some exit poll results predicted a hung assembly. Since the BJP had fought under Sawant's leadership, the elections will be a testament to the CM's popularity. The BJP had contested all 40 state assembly constituencies for the first time in the absence of the deceased former CM Manohar Parrikar.
Modi to discuss BJP's plan of action
PM Modi will discuss the next plan of action in Tuesday's meeting, a senior BJP functionary told The Times of India. Meanwhile, Tanavade will also leave for Mumbai later on Tuesday to meet the party's Goa election in charge, Devendra Fadnavis.
What did the Goa exit polls say?
Although most exit polls favored the BJP, they predicted a wider vote share for opposition parties. Some exit polls predicted a majority (over 21 seats) for the BJP, which had led campaigns with the slogan "22 plus in 2022." Sawant said on Monday that the BJP will turn to independent MLAs for support if it is stuck at 17-18 seats.
Congress braces for MLA poaching
Separately, Goa Congress candidates will be checking into a hotel in north Goa amid the likelihood of MLA poaching, sources told CNN-News18. "On counting day (March 10), many Congress candidates will not be coming to the counting centers. They will be represented by their election agents. Candidates to remain inside the hotel till Thursday afternoon," the sources said.
Uttarakhand BJP also planning for post-poll scenarios
In Uttarakhand as well, the BJP is bracing itself for an unfavorable post-poll scenario. BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya reached Union Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank's residence in Dehradun on Sunday. Vijayvargiya is reportedly likely to hold talks with Uttarkhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and state BJP chief Madan Kaushik on Tuesday. The exit polls were favored both the BJP and the rival Congress.
