Goa govt. formation: Congress hails SC verdict

Expressing delight over the Supreme Court's intervention regarding government formation in Goa, Congress leader and senior advocate Abhiskek Manu Singhvi on Tuesday stated that justice has been delivered.

Addressing the media after the apex court's order, Singhvi, representing the Congress, said: "Our basic argument was satisfaction of the Governor, constitutional satisfaction which cannot even begin to be formed unless the Governor consults, calls or telephonically calls to the single largest party. It is admitted that the Governor did not talk to the single largest party. Therefore, how the Governor can arrive at the conclusion, the Constitution says."

During the hearing, the petitioner vehemently opposed the Governor's order asking Manohar Parrikar to prove majority in the assembly within 15 days after the swearing-in.

"The court ultimately intervened in a significant manner because the Governor had given as long as 15 days after swearing-in and we understand that how 15 days are used or misutilised. Minorities are artificially cobbled to make together a majority and we were very vehement in our opposition. Although they (SC) wanted to have it tomorrow, they put it a day after because of logistical reasons," Singhvi said.

Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, who was also present in the hearing, said the swearing-in of Parrikar will take place today as scheduled.

"The Supreme Court has disposed off the writ petition by requiring the Governor to ensure that the floor test is held on March 16. The allegation of horse trading is nothing in the order, the court has not accepted any of the arguments of the petitioner," Singh told ANI.

The Supreme Court today refused to stay the swearing-in of the former defence minister and ordered a floor test in the state assembly at 11 a.m. on March 16.

The apex court has directed that all pre-requisites for holding the floor test should be completed by tomorrow including what is required by the Election Commission.

To accommodate this, the court ordered the Governor to summon the House tomorrow at 11 a.m.

This development came after the Congress moved the apex court challenging the scheduled swearing-in of Parrikar.

During the hearing, Singhvi alleged that the BJP was indulging in horse-trading and violating the established constitutional practices.

He asserted that the Congress was not even consulted once on the formation of next government in the state.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) J.S. Khehar, observed that numbers should determine the single largest party in the state.

The apex court further told, petitioner, the Congress that it should have gone to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha rather than raising the matter before the judiciary.

Senior advocate Harish Salve represented the Central Government during the hearing in the apex court, which ordered a floor test.

Governor Sinha had invited Parrikar to form the next government in the coastal state after he submitted a letter of support of 21 legislators.

Three MLAs of the Goa Forward Party, three of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and two Independents have pledged their support to Parrikar.

The BJP, which won 13 seats in the 40-member Goa Assembly, managed to garner support from other parties and Independents to attain majority under Parrikar.

The Congress won 17 seats in the recently concluded polls.