BJP Govt in Goa reduced to minority
By: PTI
January 29, 2005
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Panaji: The BJP government in Goa was today reduced to a minority with three of its 21 party MLAs resigning from the 40-member state assembly and an equal number withdrawing support to it in a sudden development that spurred opposition Congress into staking claim to form a Government.
Atanasio Monserratte, who had resigned from the state Cabinet yesterday after being suddenly stripped off the Town and Country Planning portfolio, and two other ruling party legislators -- Isidore Fernandes and former Tourism Minister Micky Pacheko -- submitted their resignation letters to the Assembly Secretary, reducing the ruling BJP's strength from 21 to 18.
Pacheko had only on Thursday merged his United Goa Democratic Party (Secular) with the BJP.
MGP MLA Sudhin Dhavilkar and Independent Legislator Phillip Nery Rodrigues besides the UGDP, which were supporting the Parikkar Government, too submitted letters to state Governor S C Jamir withdrawing their support to the three-year-old BJP government. The UGDP MLA, who is a Minister, is on his way back from Spain.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Congress, which has 15 MLAs and support of one NCP member, met the Governor and staked claim to form a government. Congress General Secretary In charge of Goa, Margaret Alva, who met the Governor separately, told reporters "we have presented our support to him. We are the largest party and it is upto him to take a decision now.
Monserratte, who resigned from the Assembly said, "I have been humiliated in such a way that I thought it is better to go home."
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