Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar resigns, all set to be Goa Chief Minister

With the support of the party MLAs and the independent MLAs Manohar Parrikar who has resigned as Defence Minister will now be the Goa CM

By: News Desk |
March 12, 2017 8:38 pm

Defence Minister Manohar PArrikar on March 12 tendered his resignation and has met the Goa governor along with other BJP MLAs staking claim to form a government in the state. Goa Forward party who won 3 seats in the assembly elections asserted that they would support BJP if Manohar Parrikar returns as CM.

Manohar Parrikar also addressed a press conference and announced that he had met the governor and would decide the date on the swearing in ceremony once they receive an invite to form a government. “This is a mandate given by the people, though we fell short of majority.Together we have completed the magic figure of 21,” he said.

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.

We do not see anybody else in legislature party of BJP capable of leading Goa. Want maximum development: Vijay Sardesai,Goa Forward Party pic.twitter.com/VWOs6yfUqm

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017

We will evolve a Common Minimum programme within 1 month of formation of Government: Vijay Sardesai,Goa Forward Party on any conditions set pic.twitter.com/c2705OsYZ0

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017

We have decided to support BJP to form the Govt under leadership of Manohar Parrikar:Vijay Sardesai,Goa Forward Party #Goa pic.twitter.com/aIPVdd4VOT

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017

Manohar Parrikar with BJP MLAs, 3 MGP MLAs,3 Goa Forward Party MLAs& 3 other Independent MLAs met Goa Guv & staked claim to form government.

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 12, 2017

Earlier today, the BJP MLAs have passed a resolution and have put in their request to BJP President Amit Shah. 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.”