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Congress move to form govt in Goa delayed as BJP, MGP stake claim

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

The opposition Congress party's aim to form an alternative government in Goa was delayed today with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party also staking claims to form their respective governments in the state.

Dr Kashinath Jhalmi, MGP leader and law minister in the outgoing Dr Wilfred de Souza ministry, called on Governor, Lieutenant General (retired) J F R Jacob and claimed the support of majority MLAs including several Congressmen and breakway Goa Rajiv Congress members.

The governor has informed every party leader who called on him that he would take time to study the matter and verify facts, sources said. They added that Goa assembly Speaker Thomazinho Cardozo also called on the governor but what transpired between the two was not known.

Dr de Souza tendered his resignation to the governor at 0115 hours today, a few hours before he was to move a trust vote in the Goa assembly.

He did not recommend dissolution of the House, as he had announced last night, while talking to journalists after emerging from Raj Bhavan. Dr "Willy" has been asked to continue as caretaker chief minister, until alternate arrangements are made.

Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro has already staked his claim to form the government with the support of 21 members in the 40-member House. "But I can be stronger later," Faleiro told the media last evening, hinting at more defections from Dr de Souza's Goa Rajiv Congress.

A political crisis had erupted a week ago in the sunshine state with four GRC members -- including three ministers and the deputy speaker -- breaking away from the ruling coalition and rejoining the Congress.

Ten MLAs, under Dr de Souza's leadership, had split from the then ruling Congress party in July to form the coalition government. While the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party participated in the government, the Bharaitya Janata Party supported it from outside.

"People are fed up with the kind of instability in the state. Even I don't want to remain in power. The time has come for a new assembly, holding fresh elections," Dr de Souza had said yesterday, pointing out that even the Congress has to engineer more defections to provide a stable government.

Local BJP leader Manohar Parrikar and MGP leader Ramakant Khalap have rushed to Delhi to persuade BJP leaders to recommend dissolution of the assembly to the President. Memorandums have also piled up at Raj Bhavan with the same demand.

But Governor Jacob does not seem inclined for a dissolution, stating that no political or extra-constitutional consideration would be taken into account. Faleiro had also expressed confidence in the governor, stating that the recent Bihar fiasco was a good lesson for everybody.

"The confinement of MLAs on both sides, except BJP MLAs, itself shows the mistrust among legislators of any party. How could any combination provide a stable government in such a situation?" asked Parrikar, reiterating his demand for dissolution.

Though Faleiro strongly denied the allegation of money exchanging hands in the crisis at the behest of a couple of mine owners, Parrikar refuses to dismiss the rumours, stating it had become the culture of Goan politics. "Not principles, but only greed is playing a major role," he said.

Additional reportage: UNI

EARLIER REPORTS:
'Goan politicians roam around parties like tourists on the beach'
Congress numbers swell to 21, stakes claim in Goa under Luizinho Faleiro's leadership
Narvekar's revolt brings de Souza's government to the verge of collapse

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