Goa throws up hung Assembly once again

Sandesh Prabhudesai
1 June 2002

Goa has finally thrown up a hung Assembly once again, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party becoming the single largest party with 17 seats, falling short of only four to reach the magic figure of 21 in the 40-member House.

The Congress is however not too far, with one less than the BJP.

It is thus inevitable to form a coalition government, by shaking hands with at least two regional parties.

The United Goans Democratic Party has won three seats, while the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party has gained two. The Nationalist Congress Party however could win only one seat.

Philip Neri Rodrigues, former minister in the BJP government, has won as an independent.

With uncertainty hanging fire, both the BJP and the Congress are now claiming to be in a position to form the government.

When results of five seats were awaited, chief minister Manohar Parrikar had claimed that the BJP will form the government.

Shantaram Naik, interim president of the Congress, claims that they will form the government as rest of the parties are secular-minded and have to support them.

Talks are on and the outcome will be known by evening, adds Naik.

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