January 22, 2025

The Congress is trying to take advantage of Goa CM Manohar Parikkar’s illness and the reported disgruntlement between coalition partners over a temporary CM. With 16 MLAs in the assembly (as opposed to the BJP’s 14), the Congress has staked claim to form the government. In a letter to the state Governor, submitted to her secretary as the Governor was out of the state, signed by all 16 MLAs, the party has said that the assembly should not be dissolved and as the single largest party, it should be given a chance to form the government.

But where is the need to dissolve the assembly. One thinks that the Congress has jumped the gun. Being an experienced party, it should know that it cannot stake claim to form the government when a coalition is running the state. The CM’s illness cannot be a ground for the Governor to either dissolve the assembly or invite any other party or coalition to form the government. Having, or not having, a caretaker CM (till Parikkar recovers) is the sole prerogative of the ruling coalition.

Further, the Governor cannot be expected to act on the basis of support of just 16 MLAs in a house with a total strength of 40. The Congress’ action is akin to either a caveat or an anticipatory bail. It thinks that the assembly might be dissolved if the ruling coalition breaks. So it is taking preventive measures. If it is really serious about forming the government, it should present the Governor with a fait accompli by surreptitiously breaking the coalition and getting the support of the three MLA’s each of Goa Forward Party and the MGP or of the three Independents and the lone MLA of the NCP to make up the numbers. Then the Governor will have no choice but to invite it to form the government. Without that, the Congress is just indulging in shadow boxing.