K’taka Guv’s decision gives Goa Congress new ammo

Team Herald

PANJIM: Referring to the decision taken by the Karnataka Governor of inviting the single largest party to form the government, the Congress in Goa has urged Governor Dr Mridula Sinha to rectify her ‘mistake’ and invite them to form the government in the State, as it had emerged as the single largest party in 2017 polls and continues as such till date. Congress, which has 16 MLAs in the 40-member State Assembly, has sought seven days from the Governor to prove its majority.

The Congress Legislative Party (CLP), led by Chandrakant (Babu) Kavalekar will meet the Governor at noon on Friday. They will stake claim to form the government at this meeting. 

Speaking to Herald, Kavalekar said, “We want the Governor to dismiss the present BJP-led coalition government, which is headless for the last two months. Ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is in USA for last two months for medical treatment, is not able to lead the State,” he said. 

Kavalekar added, “We emerged as the single largest party in the February 2017 polls with 17 MLAs and even today we continue to be the single largest party with 16 MLAs. Hence, the Governor should invite us to form the government and allow us to prove our majority in a floor test,” Kavalekar said. 

The Leader of the Opposition said the Goa Governor should follow the precedent set by her Karnataka counterpart and invite the single largest party to form the government “correcting her mistake of March 12, 2017.”

The Congress had earlier challenged the Governor’s decision in the Supreme Court but couldn’t stop the oath taking ceremony of BJP’s Manohar Parrikar. 

Congress Goa desk in charge A Chella Kumar said, “In the Constitution there is no separate rule for Goa and Karnataka. Though the Governor committed a mistake in 2017, she has a chance to rectify it now. Governor has given us time on Friday. I’ll go with the MLAs to meet her and stake our claim to form the government.”

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar said that if the Karnataka Governor can invite the single largest party to form the government, why can’t the Goa Governor invite the single largest party in Goa, which is the Congress. “Why two criteria for two states? Why double standards? Request her Excellency to follow big brother Karnataka and invite Congress to rectify the wrong,” he stated. 

GPCC general secretary Yatish Naik said, “Governor should dismiss and dissolve the undemocratic government and call us to stake claim being the single largest party. Call for a special session and grant us seven days to prove our majority.”