The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) which has two MLAs and two independents, have extended unconditional support to the Congress-NCP alliance, clearing the path for a Congress-led government in Goa.
Congress MP Shantaram Naik told Deccan Herald that the MGP and the two independents, Vishwajeet Rane, son of Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, and mine-owner Anil Salgaocar had sent in their letters of support.
“We will present this to the Governor when we stake our claim to form the government tomorrow,” Naik said.  Naik said the Congress would decide on its chief minister designate, and its allies would have no say in the matter.  A coalition with the MGP and independents would provide the Congress formation stability in numbers, taking its strength to 23 in a House of 40. The MGP which had been part of the outgoing Congress-led government in Goa lost no time in making its intention clear after Congress rebel Churchill Alemao also threw his hat in the ring with his offer of support to form a new government.
With the MGP's no-strings-attached offer, Goa pradesh Congress committee chief Ravi Naik has emerged as the front-runner for the chief minister's post. Congress sources said Naik leads the popularity vote within the CLP, pushing outgoing chief minister Rane to second place.
Power Minister Digamber Kamat, backed by the influential Saraswat Brahmin lobby, is also in the race for the top post. The Congress is expected to announce its nominee on Thursday after AICC president Sonia Gandhi's endorsement.