High drama in Goa, Leader of Opposition meets Chief Minister, Congress MLAs to join BJP, Congress leadership removes Leader of Opposition

PANAJI: In Goa, there are indications that the Congress MLAs will join the BJP under the leadership of the leader of the opposition and the former chief minister. Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Lobo arrived at the Chief Minister's residence along with four Congress MLAs. Lobo's wife and MLA Delilah has also accompanied him. Following this, the Congress removed Michael Lobo as the Leader of the Opposition.

Only five MLAs attended the press conference called by the Congress. The Congress MLAs have strenghthened their defection moves as the assembly session is about to start tomorrow. It is reported that at least ten of the 11 MLAs will join the BJP. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Opposition Leader Michael Lobo are likely to be among the defectors.

Congress shifted the MLAs to a hotel in Madgaon today due to indications that there would be defections, but Digambar Kamat did not arrive. Michael Lobo joined the Congress from the BJP just before the assembly elections. After the elections, the Congress replaced Digambar Kamat with Michael Lobo as the Leader of the Opposition.