Congress in Goa eyes new government

THE PARTY IS LOOKING TO REPLACE THE AILING CHIEF MINISTER PARRIKAR OF RULING BJP

Any recommendation for dissolution of the Goa Assembly ought not to be accepted [and] the Congress being the single largest party, ought to be invited to form the government.”

Chandrakant Kavlekar | Leader of the Opposition

Even as the ruling BJPled coalition alliance looks for a new leader to replace ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Congress MLAs yesterday staked a claim to form a government in Goa.

Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar visited Raj Bhavan and submitted a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha’s office signed by all 16 Congress MLAs, demanding that she should not dissolve the Assembly and pave way for a fresh election.

This follows the political turmoil following Parrikar’s airlift to a Delhi hospital last week. The Congress urged the Governor to instead invite the Congress, the single largest party, to form a government.

“We have requested the Governor that the government should not be dissolved and put the state on the path of elections. We have also asked her not to impose President’s Rule or keep the House in suspended animation. People have elected us for five years... Imposing an election after a mere 18 months is not good for anybody,” Kavlekar said.

In a formal demand to Sinha, Kavlekar said: “That any recommendation for dissolution of the Goa Assembly ought not to be accepted... That the Congress being the single largest party, ought to be invited to form the government.”

Kavlekar said he feared that a false letter or statement may be submitted to the Governor claiming the Congress recommended dissolution of the state Assembly.

“We also apprehended that false letters or statements may be placed attributed to Leaders of the INC [Indian National Congress], claiming there is a desire on the part of the INC to accept recommendation for dissolution of the Goa legislative assembly. This is not true and should not be accepted without adverting to a floor test,” the letter said.

Sinha is currently not in the state and is expected to return to Goa today.