The Goa legislative assembly on Wednesday witnessed heightened activity after reports emerged that as many as eight Congress MLAs, led by Michael Lobo and former chief minister Digambar Kamat, are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party today. The MLAs’ meeting with the assembly is unusual as the assembly is not in session.
In the 40-member assembly, the ruling BJP has 20 seats, one short of the majority. The party enjoys the support of three independents and two members of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. Meanwhile, state BJP chief Sadanand Shet Tanavade also confirmed the development to news agency PTI .
While none of the MLAs were available for comment, it is understood that the eight have begun formalities to convey their “voluntary” decision to the Speaker, who is in Delhi and is expected to arrive in Goa only later today. An earlier attempt by Congress MLAs in July this year had fallen flat after the breakaway group had failed to gather the requisite numbers to switch to the BJP with five members refusing to join to breakaway camp while two others were dithering.
