BJP creating artificial majority in Goa, Cong should be allowed to form govt: Azad

The Congress Monday accused the BJP of creating an "artificial majority" in Goa at the directions of the Centre, and urged Governor Mridula Sinha to invite the opposition party to form a government as it was the single largest party.

The coastal state is in a politically fluid situation after the death of BJP Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Sunday. While the Congress has staked claim to form the next government, the BJP is also meeting its allies to decide on Parrikar's successor.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in New Delhi, "I will like to attract the attention of whole country as well as the media that democracy should be established (in Goa). And governors, who sit on the position of a judge, should take correct decision.

"The one who has a majority should form a government. It is not right for democracy if artificial majority is created as per the directions of central government," he told a press conference.

On Governor Sinha not responding to the Congress' demand for allowing it to form a government in the state, Azad said, "The governor should work as a governor and not for a party."