Politics, Even In Death: While Nation Mourns Parrikar’s Demise, Congress Rushes To Stake Claim In Goa

Hours after the passing away of Goa Chief Minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar, the Congress on Sunday (17 March) evening staked claim to form the government in Goa, reports ANI.

According to the report, the Congress party, which is the single largest party in the 40-member Goa Assembly, wrote a letter in this regard to Governor Mridula Sinha for the second time in 48 hours.

The letter is signed by the Congress Legislature Party leader Chandrakant Kavlekar and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodnakar. In the letter, they have contended that the coalition allies had aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2017 on the condition that it would support a BJP-led government only if it is headed by Parrikar.

"Now, in view of Mr. Parrikar's death, BJP has no allies," the letter said. It said that it was up to the Governor to ensure “smooth transition and transfer of power".

"Congress being the single largest party, it is submitted that the leader of the Congress party is entitled to be invited to form the next government. We, therefore, hereby once again stake our claim to form the government and request Your Excellency to extend the invitation to our leader to form the next government," the letter stated.