Congress stakes claim to form Govt again even as it mourns Parrikar’s death

The Goa Congress once again staked its claim to form the government, the second time in 24 hours, after the passing away of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. On March 16, the part had staked its first claim “consequent upon the sad demise of Francis D Souza, MLA”, and stated that BJP’s number s may “further dwindle”, obviously keeping in mind Parrikar’s critical health condition.

On Sunday, after Mr Parrikar passed away, the leader of the opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar and GPCC president Girish CHodankar, wrote to the Givernor Mridula Sinha, giving the strength of all parties in the house and staked claim again based in the Congress being the single largest party in the house.

The letter stated “The coalition partners of the Parrikar led government had allied with BJP on condition that the government is headed by Manohar Parrikar, the then Defence Minister of India. The BJP therefore has no allies as of now.

The Congress has 14 MLAs, the BJP 11, The Goa Forward, the MGHP and Independents 3 each, the NCP 1 and the Speaker 1. Based on these numbers, the Congress stated “ Congress being the single largest party, it is submitted that the leader of the Congress legislature party be entitled to be invited to form the government”