BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance's Claim to Form Government
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent
Pics Rajtilak Naik
Panaji, Jul 26: The political crisis in Goa got deepened further with ruling benches disrupting the proceedings of the state legislative assembly and the BJP-led Goa Democratic alliance (GDA) demanding dismissal of Digamber Kamat-led government for failing to pass financial demands on the floor of the house.
The political crisis which began after Kamat-led government plunged into minority on Wednesday night continued throughout the day. The BJP-led political formation comprising of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP), United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), Save Goa Front (SGF) and an independent legislator organized themselves under the banner of GDA.
BJP leader, former CM and present leader of the opposition Manohar Parrikar briefing the media at a press conference at Panaji with all members of the Goa Democratic Alliance, which claims to form an alternative government in Goa.
Parrikar speaking to the media soon after the meeting of all the coalition members with whose support the BJP in Goa is planning to form the new government.
BJP national leader in charge of the Goa desk Rajiv Pratap Rudy, obviously happy with the developments, showsthe victory sign during the press conference at Panaji in Goa on Thursday.
After the initial wait for the arrival of Goa governor S C Jamir from Delhi, the GDA decided to defeat the government on the floor of thclaimed the support of 20 legislators.
"We appeal to the governor to return as fast as possible and install the new government,’’ Parrikar, who was chosen as the leader of GDA, to be the next chief minister, if alliance comes to power, said.
The high political drama was expected on the floor of the house when the assembly session began at 2.30 p.m. However, the ruling benches, which had adopted a counter strategy in the form of disqualification petition against their own lady legislator Victoria Fernandes, who had resigned last night and joined the rebel camp.
Congress legislator Babu Kavalekar raised the issue when assembly met amidst the disrupted house. The rest of the ruling benches joined Kavalekar creating noisy scenes.
After initial one-hour adjournment, when assembly met again, the noisy scenes continued forcing the speaker to adjourn the house till Monday 2.30 p.m.
"The government has failed to pass the finance demands on the floor of the house which means that they don’t enjoy majority support on the floor… We demand that the Governor should fly back immediately and dismiss the state government,’’ Parrikar told reporters.
He said that the ruling benches on purpose created the scene to bargain for the time as they have lost the majority. "Governor should evoke 164 section and dismiss the government,’’ Parrikar said.
Earlier report on July 26:
BJP-Led Combine may Form Government
Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent
Exclusive Daijiworld pics
Panaji, Jul 26: BJP-led political combine on Thursday said that they will stake the claim to form the next government in the state before Governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan by afternoon.
The Governor is out of station and is expected to arrive this morning, Raj Bhavan sources confirmed.
Congress woman legislator Victoria Fernandes walking into the hotel after resigning as a member of legislative assembly.
MGP legislator and minister Sudin Dhavlikar standing beside two BJP legislators in the hotel.
Independent legislator Anil Salgaoncar seen with MGP legislator Sudin Dhavlikar.
Save Goa Front legislator Aleixo Lowrenco Reginald (in middle) with Victoria Fernandes and BJP legislator Dayanand Sopte.
BJP legislator Vijay Pai Khot discussing with MGP legislator Dipak Dhavalikar also seen is Victoria Fernandes.
SGF supremo Churchill alemao seen with Victoria Fernandes.
BJP leader Manohar Parrikar addressing the legislators in the hotel.
BJP legislators Laxmikant Parsekar and Ramesh Tawadkar in a five star hotel last mid night
"We will stake the claim before the Governor. If he does not give us chance, we will defeat the government on the floor of the house,'' BJP leader Manohar Parrikar, who is likely to be next chief minister of the state, once they prove majority, told reporters late Wednesday midnight.
"The Govenor has to abide by the constitution. Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP) has withdrawn the support while lady congress legislator Victoria Fernandes has resigned reducing the Congress-led formation to minority,'' Parrikar said.
The 49-day-long Digamber Kamat led government was sworn in on June eight after Congress got majority seat during the June Two Goa assembly polls. Congress with its 16 legislators, nationalistic congress party (NCP) three legislators, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party with two legislators along with two more independents had formed the state government.
BJP with its 14 legislators had become the main opposition party while two legislator strong Save Goa Front and United Goans Democratic party with its lone legislator had given outside support to the Kamat-led government.
``All the parties are participating in the government.... We are not taking any outside support. Everyone is with us,'' Parrikar said.
Parrikar, admitting that he will be leading the political formation, ruled out that the BJP is encouraging defections in the state. ``Victoria (Fernandes) has resigned because she was humiliated by the party. We have not taken support of any other congress legislator,'' he reasoned.
The late night development has left Kamat led government into minority. The Congress-led government was brought down to 19 legislators while BJP-led opposition has 20 legislators on its side in the 40-member Goa assembly.
Earlier report of the day, July 26, 2007: