Vijai Sardesai rules out mid-term election in Goa amid Parrikar illness

Goa Forward Party president and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai ruled out on Friday the possibility of mid-term elections in the state. He was referring to opposition Congress's claim that the BJP may opt for early dissolution of the Assembly and simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections next year.

"There would be no mid-term polls. I have discussed it with whoever it needs to be discussed, in Delhi and in Goa," Sardesai told reporters here.

"I have got assurance from the ruling party (the BJP) that there will be no mid-term polls. You are well aware of the political reality, no one can afford mid-term polls," he said.

The GFP is an alliance partner in the Manohar Parrikar-led Goa government. Parrikar, 62, is currently admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi for the treatment of a pancreatic ailment.

The Congress has claimed that the BJP-led government has no majority any longer, and demanded a floor test in the Assembly.

(With inputs from agencies.)