The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) led coalition has cleared the floor test that was ordered by the Supreme Court to be held today. Churchill Alemao, lone NCP MLA, has voted in favour of the coalition government. Vishwajeet Rane, Congress MLA from Valpoi, abstained from voting and later submitted his resignation to protem speaker Siddharth Kuncolienkar. Re-election will be held in Valpoi.
Manohar Parrikar proves majority
Goa Cheif Minister Manohar Parrikar cleared the floor test with the support of 22 MLAs (excluding the vote of the speaker). All non-Congress MLAs supported the coalition government led by the BJP. Congress opposed the move but could muster the support of only 16 MLAs and one Congress MLA had abstained.
The math
Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Independent (Ind), Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Goa Forward Party (GFP).
BJP – 12 (one BJP MLA was the speaker) + IND – 3 + MGP – 3 + GFP – 3 + NCP – 1 = 22 MLAs voted in BJP’s favour.
Alemao supports Parrikar for the sake of development
Churchill Alemao who voted in favour of the BJP led coalition claims to have done so for the sake of development in his constituency. Hower, Alemao has stopped short of providing a letter of support for the ruling coalition, a fact, highlighted by Parrikar. Parrikar added that if a letter of support is submitted by Alemao to the Goa Governor, then he becomes a part of the coalition.
Vishwajeet Rane quits Congress
As the floor test was underway, many wondered why Vishwajeet Rane did not attend? Later developments took everyone by surprise as the junior Rane submitted his resignation to the speaker. He was elected from the Valpoi constituency and re-elections will be held there.
Parrikar addressed a press conference after the floor test and said that allotment of portfolios to the ministers will be finalised tomorrow and should be made public by March 18. Two ministers will be sworn in at a later date. He will hold a cabinet meeting tomorrow at 11 AM.
He also added that a ‘common minimum program’ (CMP) is being worked out by the coalition partners and can (tentatively) be expected to be revealed on April 14, plus minus 4-5 days. The CMP according to Parrikar, will focus on development, state’s identity, employment along with other issues that engulf the state.
