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Goa chief minister resigns

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

In a sudden development, Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro resigned this afternoon, a few hours before facing a vote of confidence in the state assembly.

Governor J F R Jacob, while accepting his resignation, has asked former chief minister Dr Wilfred de Souza to stake a fresh claim to form a government.

If Dr de Souza cannot submit a fresh letter to the governor with 21 MLA signatures, the situation may clear the way for use of Article 356 in the beachside state. The governor would then recommend dissolution of the assembly and President’s rule.

The Bharatiya Janata Party appears to have changed its earlier decision to support Dr de Souza. "I have no idea if the BJP will support me. I have to talk to them again", Dr Willy told Rediff On The NeT.

After two ministers from the ruling camp, including one Independent, shifted allegiance to the Opposition camp last week, Dr de Souza staked a claim to form a government. The letter was signed by 21 MLAs, including Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and BJP legislators, besides members of Dr de Souza’s Goa Rajiv Congress.

The Faleiro government lasted 75 days with the support of 21 members in the 40-member House.

It is doubtful if Dr de Souza will garner the support of 21 MLAs again. The four-member BJP Legislature Party is not ready now to support his claim. The BJP will support a new coalition government only if Dr de Souza recommends immediate dissolution of the state assembly, BJP sources disclosed.

Sources close to Dr de Souza, however, claim they can muster majority support even without the BJP, probably by attracting more Congress legislators to its side.

Dr de Souza’s support dwindles to 17 if the BJP stays out; he has six GRC, eight MGP, two Independents and one Congress MLAs as his backers.

EARLIER REPORT:
Goa CM unlikely to win trust vote

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