Two ministers, Social Welfare Minister Deu Mandrekar and Revenue Minister John Manuel Vaz today resigned from the government and joined hands with D'Souza's Goa Rajiv Congress, plunging the government into a major crisis.

Vaz, who is an independent MLA, and Mandrekar, a Congressman, have signed a letter to governor Lt Gen (Retd.) J F R Jacob pledging support for Dr Wilfred D'Souza, who has now staked his claim to form the government.

Panaji is now seat of hectic political wheeling and dealing as both the camps have begun wooing each other's legislators. ``We will try to stay in government at any cost,'' a Congress MLA who did not want to be identified told The Indian Express

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The non-Congress parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party aresupporting D'Souza's GRC. Sources say MGP and BJP have extended support to GRC on condition that he recommend dissolution of the House once he proves his majority.

The two-month old Luizinho Faleiro government which came to power by weaning away five members of the GRC was surviving on a wafer-thin majority of one MLA in the 40 member House. The GRC itself was formed when D'Souza and nine others broke away from the Congress led by Pratapsinh Rane. Both Vaz and Mandrekar had crossed the floor on all the occasions.

One MLA (Deu Mandrekar) joined GRC today. Two independents are with the coalition. One of them, J M Vaz switched today. Governor Jacob has asked Faleiro to prove his majority by Monday or resign. Earlier, he recommended dissolution of the House after D'Souza paraded his supporters before the Governor.

Present party position

Total seats : 40

Congress : 17

MGP : 7

GRC : 8

BJP : 4

Indep : 3