Cong working on strategy to form next govt in Goa

PANAJI: Congress, which along with ally NCP bagged 19 seats in the 40-member Goa assembly, is making all efforts to retain power in this coastal state.

With Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane's son Vishwajeet, who won the poll as an independent, having announced his support to Congress, the party is in parleys with another independent Anil Salgaonkar to reach the 21-mark for a simple majority in the House.

Newly-elected Congress legislators are meeting here this evening to discus party's strategy, a senior state Congress leader told PTI. Asked if discussions would veer around seeking support of small parties to form government, he said "all things will be discussed."

Meanwhile, a meeting of state BJP leaders is underway at the party office to take stock of the situation following the party's performance in the elections. The party has bagged 14 seats, lesser than it hoped.

BJP leader Rajeev Pratap Rudy said voters of Goa have not given a "complete mandate" to the party.

The mood at Congress office on the banks of the Mandovi river was upbeat, with state Congress chief Ravi Naik, who won the poll, ramaining busy discussing the next moves with close party associates.

AICC secretary Siddharth Patel has been camping at the office since early morning, giving regular updates to AICC general secretary Margaret Alva.