Cong-led Govt reduced to a minority as NCP withdraws support

The Congress-led coalition government in Goa [Images] was on Wednesday night reduced to a minority when its constituent Nationalist Congress Party and an independent legislator withdrew support, sparking a fresh political crisis which saw three ministers resigning.

The ministers Vishavajit Rane (Independent), Francisco Pachecho and Joace Philip D'Souza (both NCP) tendered their resignations to Governor S C Jamir.

D'Souza said they have conveyed to the governor as also the assembly speaker Pratapsinh Rane by fax about the withdrawal of support.

Independent MLA Visvajit Rane, who is the son of the speaker, also withdrew support.

With the exit of the NCP and Rane, the government's strength in the 40-member House was reduced to 19.

Before the withdrawal of support, the ruling coalition had 23 members -- Congress (16), NCP (3), Save Goa Front (2) and Independents (2). United Goans Democratic Party's unattached legislator Atanasio Monserratte gives issue-based support to the government.

The opposition BJP has 14 members and MGP (2).

However, Chief Minister Digamber Kamat put up a brave front saying there was no threat to his ministry and rubbished reports of a crisis.

BJP leader Manohar Parrikar [Images] demanded that Jamir dismiss the Kamat government or the Chief Minister be asked to face a floor test on Thursday.

Sources said BJP is not averse to supporting a breakaway group from the ruling coalition.