New Delhi: Eight of 11 Congress MLAs led by top leaders Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo joined the ruling BJP on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcoming them. Since the MLAs have two-thirds of the party strength, they can avoid disqualification under the anti-defection law, NDTV reported.
Earlier in the morning, the MLAs’ meeting with the Speaker set off the speculations as the assembly is not in session. State BJP chief Sadanand Shet Tanavade then said they are joining the party.
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A Congress ally, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai reacted with scorn, saying the defecting MLAs are “symbols of pure evil” who are pursuing “greed for wealth and hunger for power… in defiance of Almighty God”.
