Goa crisis updates: As BJP looks for alternative leadership, Congress tells governor to not dissolve Assembly

Earlier, Congress demanded President's Rule in Goa

On 3 September, the Congress had demanded President's Rule in Goa in the wake of the absence of chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who was then in the US for a medical treatment.

Congress' Goa spokesman Ramakant Khalap had said the state is facing a "constitutional crisis", and that he has sought an appointment with Governor Mridula Sinha to press for his party's demand for President's Rule. Khalap alleged that Parrikar and the two other ministers have violated the oath taken by them to discharge their duties towards the state.

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In letter to governor​, Congress mentions fear of 'false statement' attributed to party leaders

In a formal demand to Govenor Mridula Sinha, Congress Legislature Party chief Chandrakant Kavlekar has said: "That any recommendation for dissolution of the Goa Assembly ought not to be accepted... That the Congress being the single largest party, ought to be invited to form the government."

Kavlekar said he feared that a false letter or statement may be submitted to the Governor claiming the Congress recommended dissolution of the state Assembly.

"We also apprehended that false letters or statements may be placed attributed to Leaders of the INC (Indian National Congress), claiming there is a desire on the part of the INC to accept recommendation for dissolution of the Goa Legislative Assembly. This is not true and should not be accepted without adverting to a floor test," the letter said.

IANS

BJP in a state of drift, says Congress' A Chella Kumar

Amid the ruling BJP-led coalition alliance' search for a new leader to replace ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Congress said that it is ready to provide a stable government in Goa.

AICC Goa in-charge A Chella Kumar told Economic Times: “The BJP-led government in Goa is now in a state of drift with tension within the state BJP amid hard-bargaining allies. We are on a wait-and-watch mode. We are talking to some local parties and MLAs who have reached out to us.” 

Congress had written to governor last week against dissolution of Assembly

Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar in a letter to the Governor last week warned her against dissolution of the House, seeking an opportunity for the Congress to form a government. 

The Congress is the single largest party in the 40-member Goa Assembly with 16 MLAs, while the BJP, which has 14 MLAs, is supported by three members each of Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, a Nationalist Congress Party legislator and three independent MLAs. 

What queers the pitch in the number game, however, is the health conditions of three BJP MLAs. While Parrikar is severely afflicted by cancer, Urban Development Minister Francis D'Souza is currently taking treatment for cancer in New York and Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar, who suffered from a brain stroke some months back, is bed-ridden at his private residence near Panaji. 

IANS

Goa govt stable, says BJP

At a meeting called by the ruling BJP, senior party leader Ram Lal had said that the Goa government is stable and no demand has been made for change in leadership.

The meeting was called in the presence of BJP central observers. Lal said allies reiterated their support to the BJP in the meeting. He said opinions expressed by various leaders in the meeting will be shared with the party high command to take a decision in the interest of the state.

Lal's statements were made before the Congress submitted memorandums at the Raj Bhavan.

PTI

Congress' urges governor to not dissolve Goa Assembly

The Congress, which has 16 members in the 40-member state Assembly, submitted a memorandum to Governor Mridula Sinha, urging her not to dissolve the Assembly and instead invite the party to form the government, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said.

"The party urged the governor not to consider dissolution of the state Legislative Assembly, which is a possibility considering internal fighting in the ruling alliance and illness of Parrikar," Kavlekar said.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, 62, who is suffering from a pancreatic ailment, is currently admitted in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for treatment.

PTI

Three senior BJP leaders in Panaji to take stock of political situation

The Congress' move to stake claim came at a time when the BJP high command has sent three senior leaders – Ram Lal, BL Santhosh and Vinay Puranik –  to Panaji to meet the state party leaders and allies to take stock of the political situation.

Meeting between Goa Congress, governor likely tomorrow

The Goa Congress, along with its 14 MLAs, staked claim to form government in the state. They submitted a letter before the Raj Bhavan but there has not been a meeting between the governor and them.

Goa Congress, along with its 14 MLAs, staked claim to form govt in the state. They submitted a letter before the Raj Bhavan but there has not been a meeting between the Governor and them. Congress party has 16 MLAs in the state. pic.twitter.com/TrVUi8rCWo

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2018

Congress stakes claim to form govt in Goa

Congress Legislature Party chief Chandrakant Kavlekar said that the party submitted two memorandums at the Raj Bhavan in Goa over the current political crisis in state. "We're single largest party. We should've been given the chance earlier. See how the government is functioning today... We have numbers so we're staking claim," he said.

We're single largest party,should've been given the chance earlier.See how govt is functioning today.Govt hote huye bhi na ke barabar hai.We have numbers so we're staking claim. Guv will be here tomorrow. We'll request him for it: C Kavlekar, Congress Legislature Party Chief #Goa pic.twitter.com/g4X5tgwA6I

— ANI (@ANI) September 17, 2018

Congress offers to form 'stable govt' in Goa

The Congress is exploring the possibility of forming government in Goa, with differences emerging between the BJP and its alliance partners Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) over whether an ailing Manohar Parrikar should retain the chief minister's post.

All India Congress Committee secretary A Chellakumar on Sunday said his party was looking into the possibility of forming government in Goa.“Our stand is very clear. We will definitely explore all the possibility but that does not mean that we will do it by compromising the ideology or compromising the interest of Goans,” he said, adding, “We are not in a hurry to capture the power by compromising people of Goa’s interest. Congress is accountable to the people."

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