The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered a floor test in Goa assembly. The apex court’s order came while hearing the urgent petition by Congress challenging the BJP’s bid to form the government in the state despite winning just 13 seats.
The court had earlier asked Congress why the party did not approach the Governor of Goa over govt formation.
According to ANI, during the hearing, the Supreme Court bench headed by CJI Khehar observed that numbers ought to have determined the single largest party.
While Congress was being represented by lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, renowned lawyer Harish Khare was representing the BJP.
Congress had decided to approach the apex court after the BJP stitched up an alliance seeking support from regional parties, which had fought assembly polls on anti-BJP agenda.
Congress had emerged as the single largest party with 17 seats while the BJP, whose five cabinet ministers suffered humiliating defeat in the just concluded elections, could only win 13 seats in the 40-seat Goa assembly.
Two parties (Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) who voters had preferred over the BJP, have now gone to support the saffron party to form the government in the state.
Goa Forward Party is led by Vijai Sardesai, who was a senior functionary of Youth Congress before he formed his own regional outfit a year ago. His entire election campaign was based against BJP. Speaking to me in January, Sardesai, a popular leader from south Goa’s Fatorda area, had said that he had always been consistent in his opposition against the BJP.
The Congress has also challenged the alleged ‘horse trading’ by the BJP in Manipur, where the saffron party has staked claim to form government despite securing just 21 seats in the 60-member assembly. Congress won 28 seats in the north-eastern state.
Courtesy: Janta Ka Reporter