The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to stake claim to form the next government in Goa after the Congress-led Government was reduced to minority in the 40-member State Assembly on Thursday.
Panaji, July 26 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to stake claim to form the next government in Goa after the Congress-led Government was reduced to minority in the 40-member State Assembly on Thursday.
With the withdrawal of support of one of it allies and an independent legislator and the resignation of a woman Congress legislator from the State Assembly, the Digambar Kamat-led Ministry has been reduced to 18 members.
While two legislators of the Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP) and Independent legislator Anil Salgaoncar having pulled out, woman Congress legislator Victoria Fernandes also resigned from the State Assembly.
The Congress-led Goa Government is less than two months old.
The BJP-led opposition has 20 legislators in the Goa Assembly.
"We will stake the claim to form the government, as we enjoy majority support," said BJP leader and opposition leader in the House, Manohar Parikkar.
The BJP, which has 14 legislators in the State Assembly, has the support of two MGP legislators, two of the Save Goa Front, one of the United Goans Democratic Party and Independent legislator Anil Salgaoncar.
The MGP, which had supported the Congress to form the Government, said it was unhappy with functioning of the government.
Victoria Fernandes submitted her resignation charging her own party members of humiliating her.
Fernandes was disappointed after being denied a Cabinet rank, even after Congress President Sonia Gandhi had assured her of one.
She abstained from the House during the presentation of the Finance Bill on Tuesday, despite a Whip being issued by the party on the Floor of the House. The party thereafter threatened Fernandes with disqualification petition for defying the Whip.
ANI