In an unanticipated turn of events, Congress turned out to be a single largest party in Goa as opposed to what the exit polls suggested. The state has witnessed a hung assembly. Congress secured 17 seats and BJP finished second with 13 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party had fielded candidates in 36, AAP in 39, Congress 37, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party 25 and the NCP in 37 seats. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who was the front-runner for BJP’s Goa CM candidate had asserted that BJP was still in a position to form a government in the state.
Now, the Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP), who won 3 seats have reportedly affirmed that they would support BJP only if Manohar Parrikar is the Chief Ministerial candidate of BJP.
According to reports, the BJP MLAs have passed a resolution and have put in their request to BJP President Amit Shah. However, no formal announcement has been made as yet. BJP leader Michael Lobo also affirmed that the party’s legislature wing had decided that Manohar Parrikar would head the legislature wing as CM candidate for BJP.
While speaking to ANI, Michael Lobo said, “It all depends on Goa Forward Party & MGP. If they give us letter of support then we will form the Government. If government is formed then Manohar Parrikar ji should be in the Govt. If requested, I will resign.”
However, Congress leader Digvijay Singh lashed out at the BJP and said that it was “coup against people’s mandate”. Asserting that the Congress had more numbers, Singh said, “Is this a party of morals? They’ve been defeated & doing horse-trading, promising ministries like distributing sweets. Go ahead if you (BJP) have support of more than 21,we’re ready to sit in opposition but its coup against people’s mandate.”
