Goa- the new race for power

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's death, on Sunday evening, ahead the Lok Sabha Elections has triggered emergency at the centre. On receiving news of his death, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reached Panaji for a meeting with other stake holders of the coalition government to decide on as to who will take charge as the new CM.

Parrikar had been battling with pancreatic cancer for a year now.

Goa was a BJP-led coalition government in alliance with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party and Independents.

It may be noted that with the death of lawmaker Francis D'Souza and the resignation of two Congress lawmakers, the strength of the Goa Assembly stands at 37 instead of 40. The Congress occupies 14 seats and BJP 13.

Speaking to the media after the overnight meeting of BJP and its alliances, Goa BJP leader Michael Lobo Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly said that MGP'sSudin Dhavalikar has demanded the Chief Minister's post.

However, BJP does not want to let Goa slide off their hands and hence have suggested the names of Vishwajit Rane and Pramod Sawant.

"During a meeting with Nitin Gadkari, Sudin Dhavalikar expressed his willingness to become the Chief Minister of Goa. He said that he has sacrificed many times by supporting the BJP, and now he has put in his demand but the BJP will not agree to that," said Lobo.

On the other hand, Goa Forward Party chief and state minister Vijay Sardesai also finds himself suitable for the post. After the meeting he said, "We discussed the broad contours of the alliance government in future. We are in the process of finalising and nothing has been confirmed yet. We have given our options and asked them to revert".

Taking advantage of the delicate situation, the Goa Congress writing to Governor Mridula Sinha for the staked claim to form government.

Urging the Governor to ensure smooth transition, said in the letter, "Now, after Mr Parrikar's death, BJP has no allies".

Further, "The Congress being the single largest party is entitled to be invited to form the next government. We, therefore, once again stake our claim to form the government," said the letter.