Goa is a small state, but sees big drama during elections. As soon as the results are out, there will be a race to reach the Raj Bhavan. Considering the history of political volatality in the state, and the exit polls indicating a fractured mandate, high action is expected once the entire results are out today.
Goa has 40 assembly segments. In 2017 polls, the Congress emerged as the single largest party, although it was a few seats short of the magic figure of 21 to reach majority. The second largest party, BJP, swung into action and negotiated with smaller parties like MGP and Goa Forward. While the Congress team under Digvijay Singh was till contemplating its next move, the BJP staked the claim to form the government.
Given the embarassing 2017 experience, the Congress is treading cautiously this time. All the candidates of the party have been flocked together at a resort in South Goa to avoid horse trading attempts. Senior leaders like P Chidambaram and DK Sivakumar have camped in Goa for quick decision making and negotiations with other parties.
The Aam Aadmi Party and the Trinamool Congress are also in the fray, and both have aggresively pursued for their debut in the state assembly. While the TMC has entered into an alliance with local party MGP, the AAP has announced that it is open to lending support to any party to keep the BJP out of power.
Whether it is the BJP or the Congress, the party coming to power would have to deal with internal politics over announcing the CM's name.
Pramod Sawant in the BJP is likely to be challenged by another stalwart Vishwajeet Rane. In Congress, there is likely to be a contest between Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo.
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