Congress legislator Jitendra Deshprabhu has filed a disqualification petition against United Goans Democratic Party legislator Mathany Saldhana.

Deshprabhu has filed the petition praying for an ad-interim relief, restraining him from entering the House on Friday, when the Rane government faces the trust vote.

Saldhana is supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party despite the UGDP issuing a whip to vote in favour of Rane.

The petition is being filed on the grounds of defying the party directive.

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The Rane government is left with only 16 legislators in the House against 17 of the BJP, including Saldhana.

Senior Congressman Francisco Sardinha has been appointed the pro-tem speaker.

Sardinha would be able to cast his vote in Rane's favour in case of a tie.

Saldhana's disqualification would force a tie.

The Manohar Parrikar [Images] government was dismissed by the Goa [Images] governor hours after it won a trust vote in the House on February 1.