Updated: March 18, 2019 7:05 PM IST 
New Delhi/Panjim: A day after Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar (63) breathed his last, the BJP-led government of the coastal state finds itself in a huddle with its alliance partners to finalise the next chief minister.
Lawmakers from the BJP-led coalition government have been holding hectic parlays since Saturday to reasses the situation in the Goa power corridor- while staring at threats from the Congress party trying to stake claim at the House.
Claiming to be the single largest party in the 36-member state legislative Assembly, the Congress on Sunday formally staked its claim to form government in Goa with Governor Mridula Sinha.
In a letter to Sinha, Congress leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said, “The coalition partners of the Parrikar-led government had allied with the BJP on the condition that the government would be headed by Parrikar, the then Defence Minister of India. The BJP, therefore, has no allies as of now.”
Furthermore, Kavlekar stated that it was up to her (Sinha) to ensure the “smooth transition and transfer of power” in the state.
“The Congress being the single largest party, its leader is entitled to be invited to form the next government. We therefore once again stake our claim to form the government and request Your Excellency to extend the invitation to our leaders to form the next government,” the letter said.
With the demise of sitting Goa Chief Minister, the strength of 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly has been reduced to 36. BJP MLA Francis D’Souza died last month, while two Congress members had resigned last year.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: BJP Leader Pramod Sawant to succeed Manohar Parrikar as new Goa CM. Swearing in at 9 PM, claimed sources.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: Meanwhile, Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate will be taken by 2pm and swearing-in will be scheduled post 3pm for Monday.
Chandrakant Kavlekar, Congress: We met the Governor&staked claim to form government as we are the single largest party in the state. We have 14 MLAs and we should be given the chance to form the government. We have told that we will prove majority. Saddened by demise of Goa CM pic.twitter.com/vuBtmDd74M
— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2019
Race to Goa Assembly begins: Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said that the party MLAs decided to walk to the Raj Bhavan uninvited, after the governor refused to give them an appointment. The opposition party had written to her, staking claim to form the government on Friday and then again on Sunday.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said that the party MLAs decided to walk to the Raj Bhavan uninvited, after the governor refused to give them an appointment. The opposition party had written to her, staking claim to form the government on Friday and then again on Sunday.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) met in Panajim on Monday morning.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) met in Panajim on Monday morning.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: All 14 Congress MLAs in Goa to meet Governor to stake claim to form government, says Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar.
Race to Goa Assembly begins: Another candidate whose name is being discussed is health minister Vishwajit Rane, according to sources. While, Pramod Sawant has support of the BJP lawmakers, independent MLAs and the Goa Forward Party are throwing weight behind Rane.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.
Follow Us 
By 
