Ensure Goa Assembly is not dissolved: Cong urges President Kovind

The Congress in Goa has written to President Ram Nath Kovind, requesting him to ensure that Goa Governor Mridula Sinha does not dissolve the state assembly without giving the party a chance to prove majority to form the government.

In the petition, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Girish Chodankar explained the party's earlier approach or requests to Governor Sinha about staking claim to form a government and said it is imperative that the President issues instructions and guides the governor so that there is no constitutional over-reach to seek dissolution of the Assembly.

"We had petitioned the governor that we are staking claim to form the government and there should be no decision to dissolve the House without exploring the option of inviting our party to form the government. For this reason, it is imperative that you (President Kovind) issue instructions and guide the governor, so that there is no constitutional over-reach to seek a dissolution by foul play, contrary to wishes of the majority," Chodankar said.

"The Indian National Congress (INC) that is still a single largest party is willing to shoulder the responsibility of forming a government. We have requested Goa Governor to dismiss BJP-led state government and consequently invite Congress to form a government and prove majority that we possess," the petition read.

Chodankar further alleged that the plea has been made to the President as there has been an instance in the past when the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar had dissolved the House through a "forged" resolution of Council of Ministers.

Recently, the opposition in Goa raised questions over the stability of the government due to Parrikar's declining health. Some Congress legislators in Goa also met Governor Sinha on September 19 and staked claim to form a government by means of being the single-largest party in the state.

Parrikar, who was undergoing treatment for pancreatic ailments, was discharged from Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Sunday and brought to Goa in an air ambulance.