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With CM Parrikar At AIIMS, Congress Moves To Stake Claim In Goa Assembly

Swarajya Staff

Sep 17, 2018, 06:24 PM | Updated 06:24 PM IST

Goa Congress, along with its 14 MLAs, staked claim to form govt in the state. (@ANI/Twitter)

MLAs from the Indian National Congress (INC) on Monday, September 17 rallied behind its CLP (Congress Legislative Party) leader Chandrakant Kavlekar and laid claims to form the government in Goa. The BJP has been thoughtful of a replacement to CM Parrikar since his health has been not up to the mark in the past few days. It is currently exploring all the possible options, The Hindu reported.

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) and CLP head Kavlekar with the support of 15 MLAs visited the governor’s residence and submitted a letter to Mridula Sinha’s office. Stressing on the fact that she shouldn’t dissolve the government and call for fresh elections, the Congress has requested to the governor to invite them to form the government.

Presently, the governor of Goa is out of station and is expected to return tomorrow, on Tuesday. Kavlekar, speaking to the media said, “We have requested the Governor by our letter that the government should not be dissolved and put the State on the path of elections. We have also asked her not to impose President’s Rule or keep the State assembly in suspended animation. People have elected us for five years and it is only one and a half years. Imposing an election after mere 18 months is not good for anybody.”

Goa Congress, along with its 14 MLAs, staked claim to form govt in the state. They submitted a letter before the Raj Bhavan but there has not been a meeting between the Governor and them. Congress party has 16 MLAs in the state. pic.twitter.com/TrVUi8rCWo
— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2018

CM Manohar Parrikar has been fighting a serious pancreatitis-related ailment for weeks at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi now. Concerned about the future of the government, the BJP central team has been meeting leaders to appoint a new face as the chief minister of Goa.

Congress is the single largest party in the 40-member assembly with 16 MLAs, while the BJP has 14. The BJP is receiving support from three members of the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, one Nationalist Congress Party and three independent MLAs.

Two others from the Goa cabinet are receiving treatments for serious health issues. Urban Development Minister is being treated for cancer and Power Minister Pandurang Madraikar suffered a brain-stroke recently, and remains bed-ridden.