Wednesday, February 2 2005 09:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seeks a vote of confidence on the floor of the Assembly at its specially convened session today (Feb 02, 2005) complying with a directive by the Governor, five days after his Government was reduced to a minority.

Amidst tight security, the House session commences at 14:30 hrs (IST) with the single agenda of vote of confidence as ordered by Governor S C Jamir in his letter to Parrikar yesterday (Jan 31, 2005).

Both Parrikar and main opposition Congress claim the support of 18 MLAs each in the house with an effective strength of 36.

The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has the support of 18 MLAs including 16 of its own and the support of UGDP (United Goan Democratic Party) MLA and Tourism Minister Mathani Saldanha and the Speaker who can vote only in the event of a tie.

Congress, on the other hand, has 15 MLAs of its own and claims the backing of one independent MLA, a NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) lawmaker and one MGP (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) MLA.

Goa was thrown into a political crisis when four BJP MLAs resigned from their seats and declared their support for Congress, reducing the strength of the 40-member House to 36.

Congress promptly formed an alliance with its supporters, including one MGP MLA and an independent, both of whom had withdrawn their support to the BJP-led Government, and staked claim to form the Government.

The Chief Minister on the other hand refused to accept that his Government had lost the number game and maintained that he would prove his majority on the floor of the house.