Goa LoP meets Governor, stakes claim

The Congress on Monday met Governor Mridula Sinha and staked claim to form the government in Goa, as it is the single largest party in the Legislative Assembly, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said.

Kavlekar told reporters here that Sinha was handed a petition, stating the party's intention to stake claim to form government. It has 14 MLAs in the 36-member Goa Legislative Assembly, besides it also claimed to have the support of others.

"We have conveyed to you several times, that ours is the single largest party in the Legislative Assembly of Goa with a strength of 14 MLAs in the House of 36 members. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 12 legislators.

"As such I am entitled to receive your invitation to form the government consequent upon the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar," Kavlekar said the letter.

"I have been assured the support by majority of the members of the House. I am therefore sure of winning the Motion of Confidence as and when directed...," the Congress MLA added.

The BJP also in the process of finalising its chief ministerial candidate have held talks with potential allies to forge an alliance with members of the coalition government that was earlier led by late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar died on Sunday at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer.

--IANS

maya/in