Saturday, May 28 2005 13:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Apparently upset over the Mumbai High Court's decision setting aside the election of two party MLAs in Goa ahead of the crucial by-polls to five seats in the State, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (May 27, 2005) said it would challenge the judgement in the Supreme Court.

Pointing out that the Panaji Bench of the High Court, while giving the verdict, had granted a stay on the order for 30 days, party spokesman Prakash Javadekar claimed that the order, therefore, would not deprive the two legislators of their rights and they would be able to exercise their rights if any Government formed after the by-polls has to prove its majority.

Following the court's decision setting aside the election of Rajendra Arlekar from Vasco seat and Dayanand Mandrekar from the Siolim seat on the grounds that the two held "office of profit" during the election period, BJP's strength in the 34 member Assembly as been reduced to 15 including the support of one United Goan Democratic Party (UGDP) MLA compared to the 17 claimed by the Congress and its allies.

The State is currently under President rule with the Assembly put under suspended animation.

Javadekar also claimed that the verdict would not influence the by-poll results, which could prove decisive in the formation of the next Government in the State.