Panjim: As the counting of votes progresses for 60 members’ house in Goa, the BJP is leading in 18 seats. The incumbent Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, won from Sanquelim by a margin of 650 votes. He defeated Dharmesh Saglani.

Sawant has sought the appointment of Goa Governor to stake a claim to form the next government.

It is said that Sawant has got the support of Independent MLA Chandrakant Shetye from Bicholim.

It would be interesting to see if the BJP will be able to stitch together a post-poll alliance with the independents who are leading in four seats. 

In the 60-seat Assembly, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC),  a new entrant into state politics, is leading in four seats. Aam Adami Party (AAP), which registered phenomenal victory in Punjab, has maintained a lead in two seats.

BJP Goa desk in-charge C T Ravi said, "Congress makes false promises; BJP has done development... our party is structural, we'll decide the CM face after the results are out and post our legislative party meeting. The parliamentary board will decide". 

Congress has accepted the defeat in Goa.  Congress leader Michael Lobo said the results are up to their expectations. 

He said, "We had thought that we will win but we have to accept the people's mandate. We have got 12 seats, BJP has got 18 seats. We will work strongly as the opposition. Congress will have to work hard to win the confidence of confidence".