BJP mocks Congress for missing the Goa bus

The BJP has criticised the Congress for failing to form the government in Goa, in spite of having the maximum seats.

Panaji, March 14: At a time when a group of Congress legislators in Goa are 'upset' and blamed the party's top leadership for the failure to form the government in the coastal state despite emerging as the single largest party in the assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party has literally mocked its rival party.

In an interview to NDTV, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the man who brought smaller parties into the BJP's fold to have the support of maximum MLAs in Goa, told the Congress wasted too much time in deciding on a leader. "They had too many MLAs who wanted to lead. The BJP on the other hand wasted no time in negotiations which led them to stake claim to form government in Goa," he said. He added, "Manohar Parrikar's performance as Defence Minister was very good but the party had no choice but to bring him back as Goa Chief Minister."

Meanwhile, after much delay, the Congress Legislative Party is all set to meet at Congress House in Panaji, Goa, on Tuesday. All Congress MLAs along with senior leader Digvijaya Singh will meet Governor Mridula Sinha after the CLP meeting to stake the party's claim to form the government, reports ANI.

On Monday, Parrikar resigned as country's defence minister to head the BJP's government in the coastal state. Parrikar is set to take oath as the CM of Goa on Tuesday after the BJP cobbled a coalition to form a government in the state. Goa governor invited Parrikar to form the next government after he submitted a letter of support from 21 legislators on Sunday.

The BJP, which came second by winning 13 seats in the 40-member assembly managed to garner support from other parties and Independents to attain majority and derail the Congress, which had emerged as the largest party with 17 seats.
Three MLAs from the Goa Forward Party, three from the MGP and two Independents have pledged their support to Parrikar. The lone NCP MLA was also claimed to have extended support.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to urgently hear the Congress' petition challenging appointment of Parrikar as Goa CM. In a dramatic development on Monday, the Congress has moved the apex court against Goa governor's decision to invite Parrikar to form government in the state, despite the BJP emerging as the second largest party.The Congress claimed that the Governor should have invited them to form government, as they are the single largest party with 17 seats.

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