BJP stakes claim to form government in Goa

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, led by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, met Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on Sunday and staked claim to form the government in the coastal state.

The BJP contingent of 13 MLAs was led by Parrikar and was accompanied by three legislators each of the Goa Forward party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three Independent legislators.

"We have decided to support the BJP for formation of government," Goa Forward founder-member Vijai Sardesai told reporters before proceeding for Raj Bhavan.