Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, 3 independents likely to support BJP form government in Goa

Belying all expectations of a hung assembly, the BJP managed to fall just one short of the magic figure of 21 seats in the 40-member Goa assembly. A BJP government is likely to assume power as three Independents and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party which has won two seats have given their letters of support to the BJP to form the government. AAP managed to get two seats while the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), which had carried out a high decibel campaign in the state, drew a blank.

The 20 seats that the party won was a surprise even for the BJP as there were indications that the Pramod Sawant government was facing anti-incumbency and the party may fall short of numbers. Both BJP and Congress leaders were in talks with several smaller parties a day prior to the election to cobble up the numbers.

On Thursday, the BJP managed to win 20 seats, the opposition Congress ten and was leading in one seat. Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who was trailing in the earlier rounds, managed to win by a little more than 600 votes. The two deputy chief ministers -- Manohar Ajgaonkar and Chandrakant Kavlekar -- lost the elections.

Sawant would not have it easy to become the next chief minister as Valpoi MLA Vishwajeet Rane has also staked his claim for the CM's post. On Thursday, after it became clear that the BJP was to form the government, Vishwajeet met BJP's Goa in-charge Devendra Fadnavis to push his name.

Party leaders have attributed much of the credit for the Goa victory to Fadnavis who was entrusted with the party's campaign and choosing of candidates.

Fadnavis, at a press conference, gave the credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the Goa government's work on the ground. "We have a healthy majority of 25 MLAs. Besides the three Independent MLAs, the MGP has also given us letters of support," Fadnavis said.