The new formula also includes the support and possible entry of unattached MLA Babush Monserrate into the Congress.

Alemao who is in Delhi confirmed that talks were on. He was scheduled to meet with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi later in the night.

Goa’s Finance Minister Dayand Narvekar told Deccan Herald from Delhi that discussions for the merger were in the final stage. “If it goes through, it will be the best thing for the Congress after this bitter experience,” he said. With the SGF’s two MLAs, the Congress (16) and NCP (3) would manage a working majority of 21 in the 40-member House. The BJP has 14 members, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) 2 and independents hold 3 seats.

In the constantly shifting political scenario in Goa, on Saturday, the two-member (MGP) offered to support the Digambar Kamat government in return for a Cabinet berth for Sudin Dhavlikar. The move, which would have displaced a Congress minister and required a Cabinet reshuffle, prompted an immediate regrouping in the Congress ranks. A stream of  worried Congress ministers headed for Delhi on Sunday in a bid to pre-empt the move to bring the MGP into the Cabinet and to maintain a status quo on portfolios.

Alemao, who was a Congress MP till last year, resigned from the party to launch the SGF and contest the state assembly elections. His brother Joaquim Alemao is also a Congress minister. Political sources observe that talks of Churchill Alemao likely to be marginalised to accommodate the MGP, prompted the latest moves.