Congress leader Digambar Kamat | Photo Credit: Indiatimes

Panaji: Amid Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's deteriorating health, reports have started doing rounds suggesting that BJP might appoint a new chief minister of Goa and senior former Goa CM and senior Congress leader Digambar Kamat is leading the contention for the post. According to reports, Kamat is likely is join BJP on Sunday.

Confirming the reports, Goa deputy speaker Micheal Lobo has said that BJP MLAs late on Saturday did discuss over Kamat joining the party and the decision on whether he will be the chief minister or not will be taken by the top party leadership. "Last evening, at BJP MLAs meeting, a discussion was held over Digambar Kamat joining BJP. The decision on whether he will be the CM will be taken by central leadership," Micheal Lobo was quoted by ANI as saying.

Earlier late on Saturday, BJP lawmakers and core-committee members of the party’s Goa unit had met and discussed the political situation. After the meeting, Lobo had said that Parrikar's health is continuously deteriorating and doctors were not saying that he will get alright anytime soon.

Goa Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo to ANI: Last evening, at BJP MLAs meeting, a discussion was held over Digambar Kamat joining BJP. The decision on whether he will be the CM will be taken by central leadership. (File pic-Goa Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo) pic.twitter.com/tCrBK7L7Us — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2019

"Emergency meeting was called because Parrikar's health has deteriorated since last night. Doctors are continuously monitoring his health but are not saying that he will get alright anytime soon," Lobo was quoted by ANI as saying.

On Saturday, the Congress also staked claim to form the government in the state, claiming that the Parrikar dispensation has lost its majority in the Assembly following the demise of BJP MLA Francis D'Souza.

The current strength of the Goa Assembly has been reduced to 47 after the death of D'Souza and resignation of two MLAs -- Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte. Currently, Congress has 14 MLAs and BJP has 13. However, the latter has the support of Goa Forward Party, MGP, NCP and an independent MLA.