Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar sworn- in as CM of Goa

Panaji: Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was sworn -in as Chief Minister of Goa here on Tuesday for the fourth time. Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at a simple function. Eight other persons were sworn-in along with him.

BJP chief Amit Shah, Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Nitin Gadkari were present on the occasion.

He was sworn-in after the Supreme Court provided no relief to the Congress which challenged the invitation to him by the governor on the ground that his party, the Bhartiya Janta Party, did not command a majority.

Dismissing the claim the Court observed " if you have the majority , you should have met the governor and proved it before him, instead of coming here". Mr Parrikar has been asked to go for a floor test on Thursday and prove his majority in the 40-member assembly.

The Congress petition in this regard was heard on a holiday by Chief Justice J S Khehar and other judges because of the urgency-- Parikkar was to take oath in the evening

The Congress had won 17 seats and the BJP 13 in the assembly elections held recently. The results of the elections were4 announced on Saturday last. The BJP was eight short of the majority , but the magic figure was reached with support from smaller parties ,Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward party and independents. The party has claimed support of 22 members with their backing.

Earlier, on Monday,talking to media persons, Parikkar had said "I have tendered my resignation as Defence Minister and have sent it to the PMO. I will be taking the oath (as Goa chief minister) on Tuesday evening, along with the cabinet ministers."

When he was asked about the number of ministers to be sworn in, he had said that the" decision is yet to be finalized . We will inform you about it later".