Tuesday, February 8 2005 20:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The action of Goa Governor S C Jamir dismissing the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Government and appointing a Congress Government has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

In a PIL filed by Krishna Murari Pandit, a resident of the State which saw 15 Chief Ministers in last as many years, the Governor's decision to give 32 days to Pratapsingh Rane to prove his majority has also been assailed on the ground that it would make the State polity a fertile ground for "horse-trading".

The petitioner also questioned the appointment of Filippe Neri Rodriguez, an independent MLA whose controversial eviction from the Assembly had started the pandemonium on the day of confidence motion of Manohar Parrikar Government, as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Pandit said in his petition that Rodrguez was a primary member of the BJP and could not have been allowed to continue as an independent MLA as he had not resigned from the primary membership of the party.

Questioning the decision of the Governor to give 32 days to Chief Minister Rane to prove his majority on the floor of the House, the petitioner said Parrikar, on the other hand, was given only 24 hours to prove his majority in the House.