Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Jul 26: The 49-day old Digambar Kamat-led Goa government today plunged into minority as one of its allies along with an independent legislator withdrew its support and a woman Congress legislator resigned from the state assembly.

CM Digambar Kamat

In a late-night development, the strength of the Congress-led government was brought down to 18 legislators while BJP-led opposition has 20 legislators on its side in the 40-member Goa assembly.

"We will stake the claim to form the government as we enjoy majority support," said Manohar Parikkar, the BJP leader and leader of opposition in the House.

The BJP-led formation said that they would defeat the government on the floor of the House if Kamat does not resign by Thursday afternoon.

The BJP-led combine has now the support of two legislators of Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP), two of Save Goa Front, one of United Goans Democratic Party and an Independent legislator Anil Salgaoncar.

The MGP which had supported Congress and Nationalist Congress Party to form the government said that they were not happy with functioning of the government and decided to withdraw their support.

Santa Cruz MLA Victoria 'Mummy' Fernandes

In what seems to be a blow for Congress party, its lone woman legislator Victoria Fernandes submitted her resignation as member of legislative assembly condemning humiliation meted out to her by her own partymen.

In the earlier development, Fernandes was threatened by party with disqualification petition for defying a whip on the floor of the House during Finance bill on Tuesday.

Fernandes, who was demanding a ministerial berth in the Kamat Cabinet, abstained from the House during the session.
However, Goa Chief Minister said that he still enjoys the majority and he will prove it on the floor of the House.

"I'm still the chief minister and majority MLAs are with me. You will see it on the floor of the House," Kamat
stated over telephone.