MLAs switch parties in Goa amidst Rahul’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, eight congress MLAs join BJP  

PANAJI: A defection again in the Congress party. Eight out of the eleven Congress MLAs joined the ruling BJP in Goa. A group led by opposition leader Michael Lobo and former chief minister Digambar Kamath left the party. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed those who joined the BJP. MLAs are not disqualified under the anti-defection law as they have two-thirds of the party's strength.

BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade informed the arrival of Congress MLAs in the party. Speculations of Michael Lobo and Digambar Kamath leaving the Congress were circulated in July itself. The Congress later asked the Speaker to disqualify both of them under the Prohibition of Defection Act. Michael Lobo was also demanded to be removed from the post of leader of the opposition. However, there was no change in this regard. Kamath's response was that he was shocked by the allegations related to leaving the party. Michael Lobo, who was working in the BJP before joining the Congress, also stated that he had no thoughts about leaving the party. Senior leader Mukul Wasnik was tasked by President Sonia Gandhi to handle the defection crisis in the Congress.

BJP has 25 MLAs in Goa Vidhan Sabha which has 40 MLAs. With the arrival of eight more Congress MLAs, the strength will increase to 33. Only three MLAs remain in the Congress. Congress also has the support of Goa Forward Party fallout MLAs.

The MLAs in Goa joined the BJP when Rahul Gandhi is on a padayatra in Kerala with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The padayatra is being held in Kollam today. After resting in Kollam tomorrow, the journey will resume the next day.