the goan I network
PANAJI
The Congress on Saturday evening sent a fresh communique to Governor Mridula Sinha renewing its claim to form an alternate government, amid reports through the day that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s health had deteriorated.
In the letter to Sinha, Opposition Leader Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar while quoting the “sad demise” of former Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza, said that the Parrikar-led coalition government is in a minority and its numbers may “dwindle” and such a minority government should not be allowed to continue.
Kavlekar demanded the dismissal of Parrikar’s coalition government and that the Governor invite the Congress, which is the single largest party in the Goa legislative Assembly, to form an alternative government.
“Consequent upon the sad demise of Francis D’Souza, MLA, who belonged to the BJP, it is humbly submitted that the incumbent BJP-led state government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar, which has long lost the trust of the people and now also lost the strength of the House,” Kavlekar’s letter reads. “It is therefore incumbent upon you to dismiss the state government led by the BJP to ensure that the Indian National Congress, which is the single-largest party in the august House and is presently enjoying the majority, be called to form government,” the letter adds.
Congress is the single-largest party in the 40-member House with a strength of 14 MLAs. The ruling BJP has 13, and enjoys the support of MGP and Goa Forward Party which have three MLAs each, besides three Independents. The lone NCP MLA, Churchill Alemao, meanwhile, has alternated between supporting the govt and the Opposition.
The strength of Assembly has reduced from 40 to 37 after the death of D’Souza and resignation of two MLAs -- Shirodkar and Sopte.
Bypolls to the seats held by Sopte, Shirodkar and D’Souza are to be held along with LSpolls in the State on April 23.
Consequent upon the sad demise of Francis D’Souza, MLA, who belonged to the BJP, it is humbly submitted that the incumbent BJP-led state government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar, which has long lost the trust of the people and now also lost the strength of the House
It is therefore incumbent upon you to dismiss the state government led by the BJP to ensure that the Indian National Congress, which is the single-largest party in the august House and is presently enjoying the majority, be called to form government
