The Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Goa, Wilfrid D'Souza has resigned just hours before he was due to face a vote of confidence in the state assembly.

It follows the resignation last week of three ministers from the governing coalition.

The ministers have now joined the opposition Congress party -- giving it a majority in the assembly.

Mr D'Souza himself came to power less than four months ago following a spate of defections from Congress.