The race to appoint a new chief minister began moments after - or even before - the announcement of the death of chief minister Manohar Parrikar, and continued - virtually unabated. The Congress was first off the blocks, writing to the Governor to stake claim during Mr Parrikar's final hours saying now that the BJP government has lost its majority, since the allies' support was conditional on Mr Parrikar remaining Chief Minister. In the past 48 hours, they have written two such letters, even paying a visit to Raj Bhawan. The BJP, not to be outdone flew down Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to hold a series of negotiations with its allies to select a new chief minister the very night of the declaration of Mr Parrikar's death and continuing through the day.
