Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent
Panaji, Jul 27: The BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) on Friday staked its claim to form the next government in the state producing the signed copy of all the 20 legislators before the state governor S C Jamir.
Political crisis continued looming large over this state on the western coast as Digamber Kamat-led government plunged into minority following withdrawal of support by alliance partner Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP). The MGP, with its two members, had withdrawn from the Kamat government alleging "malfunctioning" in the 49-day-old government.
The BJP, which has adequate number of legislators with the support of regional parties like MGP, SAve Goa Front and United Goans Democratic party (UGDP), is bubbling with confidence to form the next government. "We have numbers on our side and we should get the chance," Manohar Parrikar, who is tipped to be the next chief minister, told reporters outside Raj Bhavan.
Governor S C Jamir, who was in Delhi, returned this afternoon and immediately met the GDA. Following GDA's appointment, state chief minister Digamber Kamat along with home minister Ravi Naik met the Governor. It is learnt that Kamat has told the governor that he too had enough numbers in the house.
The GDA, which was perturbed over the noisy scenes by the ruling benches in the house, today sought Governor's intervention in conducting the business of the house on Monday. The state legislative assembly was adjourned till Monday by the speaker following noisy scenes on the floor of the house.
"The government will fall during passage of financial bill.... If Digamber Kamat does not resign decently, he will face a humiliating defeat on the floor of the house" Parrikar said.
The GDA has asked the governor to appoint special observers on Monday to ensure that the noisy scenes or any act by the ruling benches should not disturb the house.
Meanwhile, lone woman legislator Victoria Fernandes, who had resigned from the assembly and congress party, today re-tendered her resignation in the offce of the speaker. Fernandes' resignation tendered on July 25 night was not accepted by the speaker Pratapsingh Rane. The speaker had said that the Fernandes should meet him personally and tender the resignation.
"I had come here after having formal appointment with the speaker.. But he is not present in his cabinet. This is purposely done to harass me,'' Fernandes told reporters at the assembly complex. She later handed over her resignation to the legislature secretary T Dhruvakumar.
The political scene in the state seems to be poised at this moment with either camp trying to keep its flock together. The GDA, in a bid to avoid any sort of poaching shifted its legislators to an undisclosed destination. The legislators, accompanied by Fernandes, were flown out of the state.
Though the ball is in the court of Governor, the weekend in Goa seems to be heading towards uneasy calm.
Did the voters of Goa deserve all this?