The Central BJP leadership is confident that the party-led Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA) will wrest power in Goa unless the Central government, through the state governor, “acts in an unconstitutional way”.

“It is a test for the new President,” said a senior BJP leader referring to Pratibha Patil’s assumption of office on Wednesday. 

The senior saffron leaders who were in regular touch with Manohar Parrikar said that the GDA with 20 MLAs has a majority.

“The only thing we fear is the imposition of President’s rule in Goa which would be against the Constitution,” they said.

Test of strength
The BJP said the spirit of Bommai judgment should be followed in the current situation, with the GDA given a chance to test its strength on the floor of the House.

The BJP-led alliance has said it would defeat the state government headed by the Congress late Wednesday night.

State Governor S C Jamir, who is understood to have held elaborate consultations with the Centre, would size up the political situation before deciding on the next course of action, government sources said.

Congress confident
Meanwhile, the Congress high command tried to put up a picture of confidence claiming that it would be able to “stabilise” the situation by Monday.

As reports came that the newly-formed BJP-led front was getting ready to stake claim to power, Margaret Alva, AICC General Secretary in charge of Goa, said that the party was confident of tiding over the crisis.
The crisis erupted not due to any political discord, Ms Alva said, explaining why the Congress was confident its government would survive.

Blaming the interested parties who were opposed to the scrapping of the controversial regional plan for the crisis, Ms Alva said the issue had been settled.