10 Out Of 15 Congress MLAs In Goa Join BJP
The strength of the BJP in the Goa Assembly has increased to 27 MLAs.
The Karnataka political crisis resonated in Goa on Wednesday as 10 out of 15 Congress MLAs in the state joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Congress MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, met Goa Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar on Wednesday evening and gave him a letter, informing him about their breaking away from the party. Kavlekar refused to cite the reasons for their move but said that they will make a statement later.
The MLAs include Atanasio Monserrate, Jeniffer Monserrate, Francisco Silveira, Filipe Nery Rodrigues, Cleaofacio Dias, Wilfred Nazareth Menino Dsa, Nilkanth Halarnkar and Isidore Aleixinho Fernandes.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who was present when the group arrived at the Assembly complex, said the 10 Congress MLAs joined the BJP.
Congress now has five MLAs in the Goa Assembly. The BJP is the single largest party with 17 legislators, followed by Goa Forward Party with three and one each of the Nationalist Congress Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. There are also three Independent MLAs in the House.