Congress has slammed BJP's move to form government in Goa, despite not emerging as the single largest party. Meanwhile, Finance Minster Arun Jaitley has been given additional charge of Defence Ministry.
And it's official! Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will be returning to Goa as the Chief Minister on Tuesday. Parrikar on Monday tendered his resignation as Defence Minister and has sent it to the PMO.
The President has accepted Parrikar's resignation. Finance Minster Arun Jaitley has been given additional charge of Defence Ministry.
Despite being a runner-up behind the Congress, the BJP pulled off a coup and staked the claim to form the next government in Goa in coalition with local outfits and independents under Manohar Parrikar, a day after the fractured verdict.
Parrikar will take oath as the Chief Minister for the fourth time on Tuesday evening.
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha appointed Parrikar, the BJP Legislature Party leader, as the chief minister and asked him to prove majority on floor of House within 15 days of taking oath.
The BJP has enlisted the support of two independents, three members each of the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
Though the lone NCP member Churchill Alemao has also backed the coalition, he is yet to submit the formal letter of support.
Meanwhile, taking to micro-blogging site, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh apologised to the people for failing to form the government.
"Money Power has won over People's Power. I apologise to the People of Goa as we couldn't muster the support to form the government," Digvijaya Singh said.
However, he further added that party's struggle against Communal Forces and Money Power Politics in Goa shall continue.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also accused the BJP of "stealing" elections in Goa and Manipur, saying a party which comes second has "no right" to form the government.
"Though the BJP fell short of the numbers to form the government, with the help of alliance partners, the magical figure of 21 seats has been achieved. I promise that we will give stable government which will work towards the development of the state," Parrikar told reporters in a joint press conference with Union minister and BJP's Goa election incharge Nitin Gadkari on Sunday.
The Congress was apparently counting on the support of the GFP which has won three seats in its debut election. The BJP, however, succeeded in keeping the Congress at bay.
The MGP was the BJP's ally in the previous government but it had pulled out shortly before elections last month in protest against former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. MGP candidates Sudin Dhavlikar, Deepak Pawaskar and Manohar Ajgaonkar have won from Madkai, Sanvordem and Pernem seats respectively. The independent candidates who have extended the support are Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim) and Govind Gawde (Priol).
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