In a major setback to Goa Congress, its two MLAs, Dayanand Sopte, MLA from Mandrem, and Subhash Shirodkar, MLA from Shirodkar, met BJP President Amit Shah today in Delhi and confirmed that they are joining BJP, according to reports. After this development, Goa Congress will no longer be the largest party in the state and will relegate to 14 members in the 40 member house, same as of BJP. The two MLAs will formally join BJP today evening.
The duo MLAs have tendered their resignation from the assembly, by faxing their resignation letters to the speaker. They have also said that more Congress MLAs are likely to join BJP in coming days.
BJP government is facing difficulty with its coalition partners, especially from its ally Goa Forward Party, because of CM Manohar Parrikar’s battle with the pancreatic ailment. Currently, BJP government enjoys support from 3 MLAs of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, 3 MLAs of the Goa Forward Party, 3 Independent MLAs and the sole MLA of the Nationalist Congress Party.
Goa Congress has been repeatedly urging the governor Mridula Sinha and President Ram Nath Govind to allow Congress to form a government, taking CM Parrikar’s health as a ground.
Now, after this development, Goa Congress will have a tough time to stake a claim for forming a government. Now, the total strength of the Goa Assembly is 38, and the majority mark has reduced to 19.