Panaji: Congress in Goa on Saturday staked claim to form the government in the State claiming that with the demise of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza, Manohar Parrikar led government has lost the majority on the floor of the House.
Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar in a letter written to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha has staked claim to form the next government in Goa and dismissal of Manohar Parrikar led government.
The strength of Goa Assembly has been reduced from 40 to 37 after the death of D’Souza and resignation of two MLAs – Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte.
Congress is currently having 14 MLAs after two of its legislators quit the party to join BJP. Manohar Parrikar-led party is having 13 MLAs. Three each MLAs are with Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independents and NCP has its lone legislator in the House.
In a communication to Governor, Kavlekar has said “consequent upon the sad demise of Francis D’Souza, MLA who was belonging to the BJP, it is humbly submitted that incumbent BJP led State Government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar which has long lost the trust of the people has also lost the strength of the House.”
“Also we anticipate that numbers of the BJP may further dwindle thus not allowing such a party in minority to continue even for a moment,” the Leader of Opposition has said.
“It is therefore incumbent upon you to dismiss the State government led by the BJP and ensure that the Indian National Congress party which is the single largest party in the august House and is presently enjoying the majority be called to form government,” Kavlekar has said.
Congress leader has said “kindly note that any action in violation of the constitutional mandate to invite the single largest party to form the government and any attempt made to bring the State under President’s Rule will be undemocratic, and illegal and will be challenged, as deemed fit.”
“We are therefore staking our claim to form the State government and demand that we be called to form the government forthwith by dismissing the incumbent BJP led government,” Kavlekar has said.
Congress party last year had submitted its claim to form the government four times, and even once had paraded their MLAs before the Governor.