Cong awaits Guv response

| 29 January 2005 22:56 IST

Following the resignation drama of three ministers and ruling BJP legislators each, the Congress is now awaiting response from the Raj Bhavan.

“We will wait for the governor to decide”, said Congress observer Margaret Alva, before leaving for Delhi today afternoon.

With the resignation drama, the ruling BJP has remained with only 18 legislators. On the other hand, the opposition camp has been strengthened to 19. It includes 15 of the Congress and one each of the Nationalist Congress Party, the United Goans Democratic Party, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the independent.

Alva attended the CLP meeting yesterday, following which three ministers supporting the BJP-led government have withdrawn support while three BJP legislators have also quit the party.

The morning began with two ministers – Sudin Dhawalikar of the MGP and Philip Neri Rodrigues (Ind) – submitting letters to Governor S C Jamir, stating that they are withdrawing support to the Manohar Parrikar government.

Following this, in the absence of third supporting minister Mathany Saldhana, his UGDP also submitted a similar letter to the governor. “Saldhana has given all the powers to the party to decide”, claimed party vice president Radharao Gracias.

Saldhana is expected to return by Monday, cutting short his Spain tour.

Later on, Congress leaders led by state PCC president Luizinho Faleiro, along with Alva, also met the governor.

According to Alva, the Parrikar government has already been pushed into minority. “However, we would like the governor to decide before we stake claim to form the government”, she said.

If the governor is convinced that the BJP has gone into the minority, she feels the Congress, being the second largest party, should be invited to form the government.

She is expected to return to Goa tomorrow, after consulting party president Sonia Gandhi.

Alva has also clarified that the Congress would lead the alternative government.

Though she declined to disclose who would be the chief minister, she said: he would be the senior and experienced Congressman, who can take all the coalition partners along with him.

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