Saturday, January 29 2005 15:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: The Manohar Parikkar Government in Goa today (Jan 29, 2005) appeared to have plunged into a crisis with two BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) MLAs resigning from the Assembly and Congress staking claim to form a Government in the State.

Atanasio Monserratte, who had resigned from the State Cabinet yesterday (Jan 28, 2005) after being suddenly stripped off the town and Country Planning portfolio, and another ruling party legislator Isidore Fernandes submitted their resignation letters to the Assembly Secretary, reducing the ruling BJP's strength from 21 in the 40-member House to 19.

Leaders of the Congress, which has 15 MLAs and support of one NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) member, met State Governor S C Jamir and staked claim to form a Government.

Emerging from the meeting with the Governor at the Raj Bhawan, Congress MLA Dayanand Marvekar claimed that the support of three more MLAs, who were supporting the three-year-old Parikkar Government. They are an independent and one each from UGDP (United Goan Democratic Party) and MGP (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party).

Monserratte told reporters, "I have been humiliated in such a way that I thought it is better to go home."

The resignations come amid speculation that two MLAs representing the UGDP and MGP may withdraw their support to the BJP Government.

Pacheko had only on Thursday (Jan 27, 2005) 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.

Congress General Secretary incharge 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."

On the BJP front, the party maintained that the political developments in Goa will not "affect the stability" of its Government in the State, party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said in New Delhi when asked about the resignation by three party MLAs from the Goa Assembly and withdrawal of support by three other legislators reducing the ruling party to a minority.