In his petition, Rane has prayed that he be reinstated as Chief Minister and be allowed to remain so until the final disposal of the case. Rane contended that the Governor's orders dismissing his government and appointing Dr Wilfred D'Souza as Chief Minister were null and void of the Constitution.

The petition also accuses the Governor of acting in a mala fide manner by identifying himself with the vested interests of the ten legislators who broke away from the Congress Party. It further stated that there is no provision under Section 164 (1) or any other Article of the Constitution empowering the Governor of the State to withdraw his pleasure and dismiss a chief minister.

Rane also contended that as directed by the Governor he had secured a vote of confidence on the floor of the House onJuly 28 within an hour-and-a-half, which was the shortest notice given to the Chief Minister of a State in the Parliamentary history of India. Rane further contended that the passing of the financial business and other budgetary demands for the year 1998-99 in the House on 28 and 29 July indicates that the House had expressed confidence in himself and the Council of Ministers.

Meanwhile the Congress has begun an exercise to purge sympathisers of Chief Minister Wilfred D'Souza. As a first step, the Goa Pradesh Youth Congress was dissolved late on Tuesday by Indian Youth Congress president Manish Tewari. He accused Goa Pradesh Youth Congress president Vijay Sardesai of anti-party activities. He has however not been expelled from the Congress. This incident follows the pledging of support to the newly formed Goa Rajiv Congress by Congressmen heading several local self government bodies in Goa.