Click to play videoPanaji: Hectic political activity is on in Goa as the BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) plans to show its strength in the Assembly on Monday.
The GDA, lead by former chief minister Manohar Parikkar, has staked claim to form the next government in the state. This after the two-month old Congress-led government was reduced to a minority last week when two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLAs withdrew their support and a Congress MLA Victoria Fernandes resigned.
However, Fernandes' resignation has not been accepted yet.
At present the Congress-NCP alliance has the support of only 19 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly. The BJP on the other hand has 20 MLAs having inked a pact with MGP, Save Goa Front, United Goans Democratic Party and an independent.
To prove that the numbers back him, Parikkar has even paraded MLAs backing him before President Pratibha Patil.
“They realised that this government won't work. There is no government at all. President gave us assurance that they will uphold the Constitution,” Parrikar said.
But Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is refusing to give up hope and says his government will survive the floor test.
There are also reports that the Congress may seek the disqualification of the two MGP MLAs who switched sides.
“The government was smoothly functioning for the common man. Do something for the state of Goa,” Kamat said.
With both sides trying hard to canvas as many MLAs as they can things could go either way on Monday. And in case of a tie, Speaker Pratap Singh Rane's vote will prove crucial.
With Kamat's wafer-thin support in the Assembly, Monday's show of strength will be a litmus test for not only the Chief Minister but also for Goa's unpredictable political future.
(With inputs from Pramod Acharya)
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
