Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane on Tuesday night submitted his resignation to Govenor S C Jamir who asked him to continue in the office till a new government is in place.

Rane was asked by the Governor to continue as caretaker Chief Minister, Raj Bhavan sources said in Panaji. The ruling Congress-NCP combine, which has won 19 seats in the 40-member House, is likely to stake its claim to form the next government with the backing of two Independents.

Congress emerged as the single-largest party in the June 2 polls, winning 16 seats. Sharad Pawar's [Images] NCP won three seats.

Support of two Independents, including Rane's son, will allow the combine to reach the simple majority mark of 21. The Congress-led combine may take a day or two to put forward their claim for another term in power.

A meeting of Congress Legislative Party passed a resolution authorising party President Sonia Gandhi to name the CLP leader, who will take over as the Chief Minister.

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Goa affairs Margaret Alva said she will be meeting each of the newly-elected party legislators to seek their views on the new leader.