We will form govt in Goa after assembly bypoll results: Cong

The Congress in Goa Thursday claimed it will form the government in the state after the results of by-elections in four assembly constituencies are declared on May 23.

Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar said his party will win all the four assembly seats.

"We will form the people's government in Goa after May 23. We are sure to prove our majority after the results of by-elections held in the state are announced," he told reporters here.

He said the Congress will restore the mandate given in the 2017 Goa assembly elections which saw the Rahul Gandhi-led party emerging as the single largest political formation.

After the polls to the 40-member assembly threw a fractured mandate, the BJP had managed to form its government with support from smaller regional outfits and independents.

"The mandate was overturned by BJP and people will teach them a lesson during by-elections," he said.

Voting in the by-polls to Mandrem, Mapusa and Shiroda assembly constituencies was held on April 23, polling in the Panaji segment is scheduled on May 19.

Results will be announced on May 23.

Chodankar said his party will win all the four seats and increase its strength to 18.

The main opposition party currently has 14 MLAs, the same as the ruling BJP.

In the state assembly, whose current strength is 36, the Goa Forward Party has three members, followed by three independents and one MLA each from the NCP and the MGP.