Congress accuses BJP of 'murdering democracy' in Goa, Manipur

New Delhi: The Congress Sunday accused the BJP of "murdering" democracy in Manipur and Goa and dubbed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as "villain" after the saffron party stole march on it.

Winning 17 seats, the Congress had Saturday emerged as the single largest party in the Goa Assembly polls, which threw up a hung verdict.

However, the BJP, which was relegated to the second position with 13 seats, has staked claim to form government in the state with support of other parties.

"We were in a position to form government in Goa after people favoured us and were in the process of doing so. But what the BJP did there is unthinkable and murder of democracy.

Parrikar is the villain behind what has transpired," Congress secretary Shantaram Naik told PTI.

Naik said the developments took place while the Congress MLAs were busy electing their legislature leader.

"Even (Union Minister) Shripad Naik had yesterday said they (BJP) will not form government (in Goa) due to inadequate numbers. But what has happened is unthinkable in democracy, we condemn it," he said.

Parrikar Sunday staked claim to form the next government in the state with the support from three members, each of Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomkantak Party, two Independents and lone NCP MLA, taking the tally of the coalition to 22.

With this, the BJP has cobbled up the requisite number needed to reach the magic figure in the 40-member House.

The Congress also cried foul as the BJP was set to form the government in Manipur with the support from three small NDA constituents, a Congress MLA and the lone Trinamool Congress legislator, taking its tally to 32.

"As per the Constitution and norms, the single largest party is always invited to form the government. The Modi government through the Governors, who are acting as its stooges, is subverting the law and democracy," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said here.

"Federalism and the rule of law being murdered in broad daylight by the Modi Government," he alleged.

He also alleged the BJP was misusing the CISF and airport authorities to detain and abduct an Independent MLA travelling with an outgoing Congress minister from Imphal to Kolkata.

"The BJP is now misusing CISF and airport authorities to detain and abduct Independent MLA (Jiribam seat) Ashab Uddin at Imphal airport," he said, adding that the legislator was travelling with outgoing minister Abdul Nasir.

Congress general secretary C P Joshi, who is in charge of party affairs in Manipur, has been camping in the state.

The BJP Sunday bagged support from three NDA constituents -- the National People's Party (NPP), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Naga People's Front (NPF).

Besides, one Congress MLA and the lone Trinamool Congress legislator extended support to the BJP in evening.

The BJP was the second largest party in Manipur with 21 seats, after the Congress (28 seats), in the 60-member assembly.

The NPP and the NPF has won four seats each, while the LJP has bagged one seat.