New Delhi: Following the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the coastal state of Goa, the Congress Party on Thursday said it is not only the defeat of Goa but also a ‘constitutional murder’ at the price of the auction hammer.
“This is the victory of the BJP who has fallen from their high ground that they claimed they were in. This is the defeat of the Constitutional norms of this country and it is the defeat of Goa. It is a constitutional murder at the price of the auction hammer that is exactly what is happening,” Congress leader Tom Vadakkan told ANI.
Vadakkan also backed Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s remark on the formation of BJP Government in Goa and Manipur in spite of winning majority of seats and said that the incident is very unfortunate.
“All constitutional norms have been thrown and the money bags are in full operation. Money is main criteria that are ruling there. The former chief minister along with six ministers has been defeated and they (BJP) say it is a comeback, how can it be a comeback,” he added.
Earlier in the day, while lashing out at the BJP for government formation in Manipur and Goa, Gandhi alleged that the saffron party used money to win power.
“We won the assembly polls in Manipur, Goa and Punjab. BJP used money for forming government in Goa and Manipur. They have stolen the government,” Gandhi said after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Captain Amarinder Singh here.
Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who faced the crucial floor test today in the Goa Assembly, established victory as 22 MLAs stood in his support.
16 MLAs opposed Parrikar’s candidature as the Chief Minister, while one MLA was absent.
Parrikar, who stepped down as Defence Minister, was sworn-in as the chief minister of the coastal state for the fourth time on Tuesday evening, along with nine ministers.
But with the Congress challenging his appointment, citing Goa Governor Mridula Sinha did not follow the procedure as dictated by the Constitution, the Supreme Court earlier this week asked the test to be conducted today.
A special assembly session was convened for the purpose.
Parrikar had claimed the support of 22 legislators, two more than the halfway mark in the 40-member Assembly.
The BJP bagged 13 seats in the polls, while it claimed the support of three MLAs each of the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party, besides three independents. The Congress won 17 seats. (ANI)