Ahmedabad: Union Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar will resign from the ministry and stake claim to form government under his leadership in Goa. Parrikar govt will be supported by MGP and GFP along with two independents to complete the majority mark of 21 in 40-membet Goa assembly.

Earlier on Sunday, newly elected BJP MLAs passed a resolution demanding the return of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister of Goa. The resolution was passed at a meeting of BJP MLAs at a meeting attended by Parrikar, union minister Nitin Gadkari and caretaker Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Parrikar left the meeting temporarily when the resolution was passed, BJP MLA Michael Lobo told reporters.

Parrikar was Chief Minister of Goa before he was elevated as the Defence Minister in November 2014.

BJP emerged as the second largest party in the February 4 election with 13 of the 40 seats seats, were in talks with Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) as well as independents over the formation of an alliance.Both the regional parties have won three seats each, while three independent candidates have also been elected.

The BJP needs the support of eight MLAs to reach the magic number of 21 seats in the assembly. The Congress has won 17 seats and is the single largest party.

Parrikar was earlier Goa Chief Minister. Prime Minister Modi appealed to come to the centre as he wanted someone very honest to take charge of Defense ministry. It is believed that it was Parrikar’s own wish too to return back to Goa. In one of his remark ahead of the Goa assembly elections, Parrikar had said he was missing Goa food so much in Delhi that he had lost two kg weight. Parrikar’s demand in Goa was so strong that BJP national president Amit Shah during the campaign had to say that whoever will be the chief minister of Goa, Parrikar will continue to lead the state.

DeshGujarat