‘They have all joined us unconditionally, being influenced by PM Modi ‘s resolution to build a New India,’ says CM Sawant.
‘They have all joined us unconditionally, being influenced by PM Modi ‘s resolution to build a New India,’ says CM Sawant.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, said eight MLAs of Congress have joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unconditionally.
Addressing a press conference with State BJP chief Sadanant Shet Tanavade, Mr. Sawant said that BJP’s strength in the 40-member Assembly has gone up to 28 with the eight new entrants.
The Chief Minister said eight of the 11 MLAs of Congress, including former chief minister Digambar Kamat, have joined the BJP. The newly joined members are Michael Lobo, Digambar Kamat, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes. All the eight Congress MLAs meet Goa CM Pramod Sawant in the latter’s chamber.
It may be recalled that in 2019, the Congress had been similarly split when 10 of its 17 MLAs had detected en masse to the BJP.
CM Pramod Sawant, Goa BJP chief Sadanand Shet Tanavade and eight rebel Congress MLAs addressed the press conference at the BJP office in Panaji: “We welcome the Congress MLAs who have joined us after seeing the work of Goa CM Pramod Sawant. We confer primary membership of the BJP on them, “ said Mr. Tanavade.
Welcoming the rebel Congress MLA, the Goa CM said, “The Congress’ Bharat Jodo yatra has turned into a Congress Chhodo (leave Congress) yatra in Goa. They have all joined us unconditionally, being influenced by PM Modi ‘s resolution to build a New India. What has started in Goa, will be soon seen across country as Congress leaders will leave to join the BJP. We are confident of winning both the Lok Sabha seats in Goa in 2024.”
Destruction of democratic principles: Congress
The Congress reacted sharply to the development. The Goa Congress in-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao termed it as ‘destruction of democratic principles’. “The destruction of democratic principles is in full display in Goa. Offering huge monies, ministries and inducements, the BJP is trying to uproot the opposition. Shameful exercise of power and money by an authoritarian establishment,” he tweeted.
Reacting to the defections of the Congress MLAs, Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai said the rebel MLA have destroyed the faith of the Goan people on democracy. T”he BJP has today completed the murder of democracy it had begun since [late BJP leader] Manohar Parrikar’s demise. Now, even the BJP cadre have to check who the real BJP is, given the amount of imported leaders that are with the party today. Unfortunately, in all this, it is the Goan public that will suffer,” Mr. Sardesai said.
The GFP was the Congress’ ally in the Goa Assembly election which took place place in February this year.
Joined BJP after looking into PM Modi’s work: Kamat
Earlier, the MLAs, including Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, his wife Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes reached the Goa Legislative Assembly to submit their resignations.
Senior Congress leader and former CM Digambar Kamat said circumstances forced him to take the decision. ”In politics, sometimes circumstances compel you to take a decision. I have accordingly taken a decision in the interests of the State. It was taken after looking at the work of PM Modi.” Mr. Kamat, a seven-time MLA from Margao, was the Congress’ Chief Ministerial face during the Goa Assembly election held in February this year.
In July this year, rumours of a split within the Congress were imminent after Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao said that a major split within the party was being engineered by its senior leaders Michael Lobo and former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in co-ordination with the ruling BJP.
( With inputs from PTI)