Goa Congress loses eight MLAs to BJP

Goa CM Pramod Sawant meets with the eight Congress MLAs, in Panaji, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

It's part of the BJP's ‘Operation Kichad', said the Congress after its eight Goa MLAs defected to the saffron party on Wednesday. The grand old party, reduced to just three MLAs, claimed the "break" was fast-tracked because of the visible success of its Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Former chief minister Digambar Kamat along with Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes joined the BJP in the presence of Goa CM Pramod Sawant. The saffron party now has 33 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly.

‘It's Operation Kichad'

"Operation Kichad of BJP in Goa has been fast tracked because of the visible success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. BJP is nervous," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet. "Once again it has been proven that the BJP can only break," his party colleague Pawan Khera said.

‘Allowed to be bought'

MLA Vijai Sardesai, president of Goa Forward Party which is Congress's ally in the coastal state, said, "The MLAs are purchased like sacks of rice and these MLAs have allowed them to purchase, how one purchase cattle."

"These MLAs have destroyed democracy and sentiments of the public. They had pledged before all religious places (that they will not leave Congress party) and now this betrayal of people is witnessed by all. These MLAs have no future. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has failed in all aspects and he wants to run government by purchasing MLAs," he added.

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‘God said to...'

Asked about the pledge of loyalty taken by Congress candidates at a temple and a church before the Goa Assembly polls this year, Kamat said it was done with divine consent.

The party had taken this ‘precaution' probably keeping in mind the 2019 exodus when 10 of its 15 MLAs in Goa had joined the BJP overnight.

"I went to the temple again and asked God what to do. God told me do whatever is best for you," Kamat said on Wednesday. Michael Lobo, another defector, said they took the decision to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sawant.

Sawant said the MLAs joined the ruling BJP unconditionally.

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