Goa BJP Catholic MLAs appeal to regional parties for support

Mangalore Today News Network

Panaji, Mar 14, 2017: Surprise of surprises, Seven Christian Catholic MLAs of the BJP  made a public plea to regional parties and Independent legislators to support the party in government formation in Goa.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji, BJP MLA Michael Lobo said: "We seven members of minority are appealing to Goa Forward, MGP and Independents to support us and form a stable government in Goa".

For the first time, the number of Catholic legislators in the BJP has outnumbered Hindus, with seven legislators elected to the assembly in the March 4 election.

The magic number mark in the 40-member Goa assembly is 21. The Congress merged as the single largest party with 17 MLAs, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)has 13 MLAs.

The BJP has managed the support of three legislators each of the Goa Forward Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and two Independent legislators and Goa Governor Mridula Sinha has appointed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as the new Chief Minister of Goa.