Amidst the ongoing tussle for power in the state of Goa, two Congress MLAs have flown abroad on Thursday creating tensions in the Congress camps. Legislators Jennifer Monserrate and Filipe Neri Rodrigues left for China and Europe respectively, as reports have emerged that they may join to BJP.
The ongoing power tussle in Goa started after the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar took ill and has been busy in travelling for his treatments. The ruling party has been searching for a suitable candidate to replace the Chief Minister and has been under pressure from alliance partners for a bigger share in power.
State Congress President Girish Chodankar, however, said “Rodrigues and Monserrate have gone out of the station with the knowledge of the party as per pre-scheduled programmes. They will be in Goa at 48-hour notice whenever the party needs them.”
The 40 membered Goa Legislative Assembly was constituted in March 2017, after the BJP showed the strength of 23 member coalition support to the governor. The Congress had secured 16 seats, becoming the single largest party but failed to garner the support of the other small parties like Goa Forward Party and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. The NCP secured the win in one seat while independents won in three other constituencies.
Manohar Parrikar, the most popular leader from the state, has been suffering from advanced stages of an ailment. He has been under medical treatment and often travels to the US, but had kept a control over the governance of the state. But, things seem to be bad for Parrikar, as he is shifted to AIIMS, Delhi for further treatment while a power tussle has broken out in the state, as Congress stakes claim to form the government in his absence.