Defence minister Manohar Parrikar was appointed Goa Chief Minister after BJP concluded hectic negotiations with regional parties and independents to stitch up the numbers to form a government.
He will take oath as Goa Chief Minister on Tuesday.
Shri @manoharparrikar has been appointed as the CM of Goa. pic.twitter.com/liiUhnvX0e
— भाजपा सम्वाद (@bjpsamvad) March 12, 2017
Governor Mridula Sinha invited Parrikar to form the government after he staked claim and showed the support of 21 MLAs.
The governor has asked Parrikar to prove majority in the assembly within 15 days of assuming charge. Parrikar’s candidature was cleared by the BJP parliamentary board on Sunday evening.
BJP defeated Congress, which has more numbers, by tying up with Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (both of whom have three MLAs), independent Rohan Khaunte and BJP-supported independent Govind Gaude.
Parrikar’s candidature meant to bring Goa allies on board.
The saffron outfit has 13 MLAs in the 40-member Goa assembly while Congress has 17. Parrikar’s return to Goa would mean a vacancy in the cabinet committee on security.
BJP sources said his replacement had not been decided though additional charge could be given to a senior minister.
“We have formed the government under a common minimum programme to provide stable and to continue development in the state,” BJP leader Nitin Gadkari told reporters.
During the discussion with BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party (GFP) put a condition that they would support the BJP-led coalition government if Parrikar was made the chief minister.
Parrikar’s candidature was seen as necessary to get allies on board and to then lead a government held up by a disparate coalition.
