Goa Assembly polls: Talks on with other parties to form govt., says Parrikar

Panaji (Goa) [India], Mar. 11 (ANI): As the Goa assembly elections gave a fractured mandate with no party securing a majority, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may seek support from other parties to form the government in the state. Admitting that the 'incumbency' factor played one of the roles which prevented the BJP from the securing more seats, Parrikar said, "We don't try to pass on the buck; we all are responsible for the fractured mandate. I also think it's probably the incumbency factor which turned the tide in few constituencies." "Since there are substantial numbers of small parties being voted, including the independent candidates, we await their response also. We are in consultation with other parties, if they agree things can work out," he added. Laxmikanth Parsekar, who lost the Mandrem seat to Congress candidate Dayanand Sopte, said that a fractured mandate might be difficult to carry out developmental works in the state. "In the backdrop of five years of BJP government, I'm afraid the coming term would push back Goa at least by 10 years," he said. Out of 40 assembly seats, the Congress bagged 17 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 13 in the polls. Regional outfits like Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) have won three seats each. While the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) emerged victorious with one seat and the independent candidates won three constituencies. Meanwhile, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar submitted his resignation. The Governor asked Parsekar to continue till a new government is formed, but, Parsekar said it is a fractured mandate. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which entered the fray with much fanfare, failed to make any impact. (ANI)