Panaji, March 18: The Indian National Congress on Monday faced criticism on microblogging site Twitter after it attempted to form a government in Goa hours after Manohar Parrikar's death on Sunday evening. The hashtag #VampireCongress is trending as people blamed the grand old party for not paying respect to Parrikar, who died after battling pancreatic cancer for a year. Goa Politics: After Manohar Parrikar's Death, BJP Says New CM Will Be Sworn In By 3 PM; Congress Stakes Claim To Form Govt.

The Congress party was criticised by netizens for writing a letter to the governor to form a government in Goa within two hours of Parrikar's death. "What is the hurry #VampireCongress? Can’t you at least wait till the last rites of one of the best CMs that Goa ever had? Sick people who will do anything for power!," said a user.

"Last evening we lost Manohar ji Parikkar 4 time CM of Goa admired for his selfless service till the end but #VampireCongress did not wait for morning to rise, rituals to get over. Staked the claim to form Govt. As a Mark of Respect & Goa Solidarity Cong MLA's in Goa should resign," tweeted another. Pramod Sawant to Succeed Manohar Parrikar as Goa CM?

This comes after a letter of Congress claiming to form a government in Goa went viral. In the letter written to Governor Mridula Sinha, Congress said, "Now, in view of Mr Parrikar's death, BJP has no allies." Now, it's upto the Governor to ensure a smooth transition and transfer of power, it added.

Goa Pradesh Congress letter to Governor Mridula Sinha:

"Congress being the single largest party, it is submitted that the leader of the Congress party is entitled to be invited to form the next government. We, therefore, hereby once again stake our claim to form the government and request Your Excellency to extend the invitation to our leader to form the next government," the letter stated.

Manohar Parrikar Dies at 63: IIT Graduate to Defence Minister — Life And Times of The Late Goa CM:

Meanwhile, according to a PTI report, the decision on new Goa Chief Minister will be taken by 2 pm on Monday and the swearing-in ceremony will take at 3 pm. The ruling BJP has begun a search for the new CM. Pramod Sawant, Goa assembly speaker is the frontrunner for the post. While, Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Sudhin Dhawalikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), are hopeful for the CM post.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 18, 2019 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).