Manohar Parrikar’s demise leads to political uncertainty in Goa 

The Goa assembly building.

New Delhi: The demise of the Goa chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, on Sunday, has led to political instability in Goa as the Congress – the single largest party in Goa assembly – has made a bid to form a government. Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has failed to announce the Parrikar’s successor as its strength has been reduced to 12.

The strength of state assembly is 36 where the Congress claims to have 14 MLAs. The BJP’s strength has reduced to 12 MLAs. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party have three MLAs each, the NCP has one MLA. There are three independents in the assembly while two Congress members had resigned from the party earlier.

Meanwhile, the Congress has pointed out to the Goa governor, Mridula Sinha, that the BJP has lost the support of both MGP and GFP as they had joined the BJP in February 2017 on the condition that Parrikar should be the chief minister.

The state Congress president, Girish Chodankar, while claiming majority in the assembly, said, “At our end, all options are being worked out. Naturally, we are talking with all factions. The decision and name of the chief minister will depend on those who join to strengthen us.”

Both parties had held separate meetings in the state within hours of Parrikar’s death. According to reports, it has been speculated that the BJP might announce the assembly speaker, Pramod Sawant, as “interim chief minister’ for some time. The MLAs from the Congress met at the residence of the leader of opposition, Chandrakant Kavlekar, to discuss the next strategy.

The chief minister of Goa and former defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, passed away, on Sunday. He was suffering with pancreatic cancer. He was known to be affable but tough administrator.

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