Panaji: Even as the ruling BJP-led coalition alliance looks for a new leader to replace ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Congress MLAs on Monday staked claim to form a government in Goa.
The leader of Opposition, Chandrakant Kavlekar, visited Raj Bhavan and submitted a letter to Governor Mridula Sinha's office signed by all 16 Congress MLAs, demanding that she should not dissolve the Assembly and pave the way for a fresh election.
This follows the political turmoil ensuing Parrikar's airlift to a Delhi hospital last week. The Congress urged the Governor to invite the Congress, the single largest party instead, to form a government.
"We have requested the Governor that the government should not be dissolved and put the state on the path of elections. We have also asked her not to impose President's Rule or keep the House in suspended animation. People have elected us for five years. Imposing an election after a mere 18 months is not good for anybody," Kavlekar said.
Sinha is currently not in the state and is expected to return to Goa on Tuesday.
Kavlekar's staking the claim comes at a time when BJP central observers are in the state meeting leaders of their party and allies to finalise an alternative for Parrikar who has been fighting advanced pancreatic cancer for several months.
He has been shifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.
State Congress President Girish Chodankar in a letter to the Governor last week also warned her against the dissolution of the House, seeking an opportunity for the Congress to form a government.
Earlier, BJP leader Ram Lal said the Goa government is stable, and no demand has been made for a change in the leadership.
He stated this after a meeting with party MLAs, former legislators and core committee members.
He said the BJP's alliance partners - the Goa Forward Party (GFP), the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Independents - conveyed that they will agree to any political decision taken by the saffron party. See P5