Goa Governor appoints Manohar Parrikar as CM

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha last night appointed BJP Legislature Party leader Manohar Parrikar as chief minister of the state and the Governor asked Mr Parrikar to prove majority of his government on floor of the assembly within 15 days of taking oath. 

This was stated by Secretary to Governor Rupesh Kumar Thakur in a press release last night. The release said, Mr Parrikar has submitted evidence before Governor, the support of 13 MLAs of BJP, 3 MLAs of MGP, 3 of Goa Forward party and two independent MLAs, thus having a total strength of 21 MLAs in the 40-member assembly. Though the lone NCP member Churchill Alemao has also backed the coalition, he is yet to submit the formal letter of support.

In the 40-member House, the Congress has 17 MLAs, followed by the BJP with 13, MGP 3, GFP 3, NCP 1 and Independents 3.Earlier in the evening, the BJP MLAs led by Mr Parrikar called on the Governor and formally staked their claim to



form the next government. Mr Parrikar said, though the BJP fell short of the numbers required to form government, with the help of alliance partners, the magical figure of 21 seats is achieved. 

Mr Parrikar said he will give a stable government which will work towards the development of the state. Mr Parrikar was addressing a joint press conference with Union minister and BJP's Goa election incharge Nitin Gadkari in Panaji yesteray evening after meeting the Governor.

Mr Gadkari said, Mr Parrikar will resign as Defence Minister before taking oath as Chief Minister. Mr Gadkari said, the decision to send Mr Parrikar, who was doing a tremendous good job as defence minister, back to Goa has been endorsed by BJP Parliamentary Board. 

As the BJP outmanoeuvred the Congress in its bid for power, AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh has accused Mr Parrikar of indulging in horse trading.