The Congress’ demand that the BJP-led government in Goa be asked to submit to a floor test, following Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s absence due to serious illness, is valid on first principles, and Governor Mridula Sinha should lose no time in accepting it. When Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar met the Governor on Tuesday with this demand, she said she would let him know in the next three-four days. This seems constitutionally odd.
In the last Assembly election, it was the Congress that emerged as the largest party, though falling short of the numbers to form a government on its own. The governor provided a whiff of partisanship as she rushed to accept the claims of the BJP, the second largest party, which had managed to cobble together a coalition after it was invited by the Governor to form government.
With Mr Parrikar away for treatment, the BJP leadership is unsure on who to name to stand in for him. It’s also not certain that the person can command the loyalty of allies. The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party has already hinted its leader be allowed to step into Mr Parrikar’s shoes.
In view of this fluid situation, the Congress has asked the Governor not to dissolve the legislature and that it be given a chance to form government. Any delay by the governor to have the government’s strength tested on the Assembly’s floor will hurt the spirit of democracy.
