Pratap Singh Rane, Opposition leader in the Goa [Images] assembly, seems likely to take over as the new chief minister of the state.

However, the Congress is still not clear whether Governor S C Jamir will invite it to form the government on Wednesday night itself.

Following the dismissal of the Manohar Parrikar [Images] government on Wednesday, the Congress-led United Legislature Party decided to stake its claim.

Parrikar wins confidence vote

State party leaders will meet at the Congress House in Panaji to formally elect their leader before staking claim, sources said.

If elected, Rane will be chief minister of the state for the fourth time since 1980.

He first held two consecutive terms as CM. During his third stint in 1990, Rane's government was toppled within 75 days of coming to power. He again became chief minister in 1994.