PANJIM: Congress Legislature Party leader Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar on Monday alleged that Governor Mridula Sinha has facilitated horse trading by not inviting the Congress to form the government and by delaying the formation to favour the BJP. Congress also said it will challenge the government formation in the court.
Addressing the media after meeting the Governor on Monday evening, for the second time in the day, Kavlekar said, “We have been going to the Governor for the last three days. First we went and updated her that the chief minister’s health is deteriorating and therefore she should take appropriate steps. Then we met her yesterday (Sunday) evening and then again today (Monday) and reminded her that we are the single largest party and therefore invite us to form the government and prove the majority.”
He further stated that he reminded her that in 2017 too she had not invited Congress despite being the single largest party in the House. “And a party which was not given mandate was provided a backdoor entry to form the government then,” he added.
Stating that once again a situation has arisen where the State does not have a chief minister, he said, “We met her in the morning and requested that at least now she should invite us to form the government as we are the single largest party. She appreciated our approach and responded in a positive way and therefore we thought we would be invited to form the government. However, even after the funeral, she has kept the vacuum.”
Citing the delay in inviting the Congress to form the government, Kavlekar alleged, “The delay shows that the party (BJP) is lacking leadership and through reports we are informed that there are demands made by their alliance partners. This in a way is facilitating horse trading by the Governor herself by delaying the process and helping them to demand and make offers.”
Former chief minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat pointing out that not taking a decision even after 24 hours that Goa is without a CM said, “The normal precedent in such a situation is that at least as an interim facility someone is administered oath and work is carried out. But the current dispensation is not willing to have an interim chief minister and therefore it is the responsibility of the Governor to follow precedent.”
Recalling the first chief minister Bhausaheb Bandodkar’s death, former CM and Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane said, “When he passed away, immediately after the funeral, that same time, his daughter was sworn-in as the chief minister and I was a minister in that cabinet.”
Responding to the government formation by the BJP, despite the Congress claims of being the single largest party, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said, “We will challenge the government formation in the court. We will go all out and prepared for any eventuality.”
