PANAJI: The fate of the BJP-led State government headed by Manohar Parrikar will be decided on Monday, with the election machinery gearing up to count the votes of the bypolls held in Panaji and Valpoi Assembly constituencies last week.
Mr. Parrikar resigned as Defence Minister to head the coalition propped up by the BJP in Goa after the Assembly elections in February. He thus had to contest the bypoll from Panaji within six months of taking over as Chief Minister.
He is contesting against All India Congress Committee Secretary Girish Chodankar and Goa Suraksha Manch president Anand Shirdokar.
The result of the Valpoi bypoll, meanwhile, will decide if Vishwajit Rane continues as Health Minister in the Parrikar government. Mr. Rane, who resigned as Congress MLA soon after the Assembly election to join the BJP, is contesting against Roy Naik from his former party.
Goa Chief Electoral Officer Kunal said vote counting will begin at 8 a.m. at the Entertainment Society of Goa complex in Panaji, and results are expected in around three hours.
