Politics

Goa: Congress moves its remaining five MLAs to undisclosed location, new CLP leader to be announced

Published

1 year ago

July 11, 2022

Panaji: Ahead of the State Legislative Assembly Session, the Congress Party in Goa moved all its remaining five MLAs to an undisclosed location, while the grand old party faced major split on Sunday.

As on Monday morning, five of the eleven MLAs of the Congress party remained out of reach to its leaders, while five were with the party. Aleixo Sequeira, the eleventh MLA, was at home, pledging his support to the party.

A senior Congress leader confirmed that they have moved all its remaining five MLAs to undisclosed location to avoid further split in the party. “These MLAs will arrive at the Assembly Complex to participate in the Session,” he said.

The Congress on Sunday faced a humiliating situation when it had a split in its Legislature Party led by Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo and former chief minister Digambar Kamat. Party’s Goa Desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao on Sunday late evening announced removal of Lobo from the post of LoP while announcing that the party will take action against both the leaders – Kamat and Lobo.

Rao confirmed that five MLAs were not reachable for the party, adding that all these lawmakers were in touch with the BJP. He said that these MLAs will have to resign as they don’t have required number of eight to show two third split in the party.

While none of the five rebel MLAs were available for comments, BJP sources have confirmed that they were in touch with them.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday told reporters that he would not like to comment on the developments that are happening in “other party” (Congress). When asked whether any Congress MLAs had come to meet him, Sawant responded “many MLAs come to meet me, specially because Assembly is summoned from Monday.”

The Congress party meanwhile held the meeting of its legislature party on Sunday night resolving to remove Lobo from the post of Leader of Opposition. Patkar said that the new name would be announced before the Session begins on Monday. (GoaNewsHub)

Politics

NDA’s Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu to visit Goa on Thursday

Published

1 year ago

July 13, 2022

Priyanka Shet

Panaji: NDA’s Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu will be visiting Goa on Thursday (tomorrow), BJP Goa President Sadanand Tanavade said. Tanavade told reporters on Wednesday that Murmu would be arriving in Goa on Thursday morning and will be in the state till afternoon.

He said that during the visit, she would be meeting MLAs and MPs of BJP and its supporting parties seeking their support for her candidature. Sources stated that besides BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party with its two MLAs and three Independents will be supporting the candidature of Murmu. (GoaNewsHub)

Politics

BJP’s 40-crore offer: AAP asks why Congress had not acted against the BJP

Published

1 year ago

July 12, 2022

Priyanka Shet

Aam Aadmi Party Vice President Ad. Surel Tilve on Tuesday stated that the recent “rumoured” defection drama is another proof that the Congress is the BJP’s B-team. Taking a shot at former Goa Congress Chief Girish Chodankar’s claim that Congress party MLAs were offered Rs 40 crore to join the BJP, Tilve questioned why Congress had not taken any action against the BJP?

AAP Vice President Valmiki Naik said that the defection is currently delayed because national leaders and local leaders are negotiating for the biggest piece of the pie.

Naik said, “Despite the fact that assembly sessions have already begun; the Congress has failed to choose an opposition leader. This is the most shameful episode in the history of Goa’s politics”.

Naik further said, “The assembly session was a timely opportunity to discuss problems of the common people and to criticize the BJP government for their failure as a united opposition. Sadly, the biggest opposition party is busy with its selfish agenda, ignoring the issues of the people”.

AAP Vice President Sandesh Telekar said Margao MLA and Congress Senior Leader Digambar Kamat should come forward and clear the air about whether or not he was involved in a conspiracy game alleged by his own party. (GoaNewsHub)

Politics

Speaker admits Disqualification petition against Congress MLAs

Published

1 year ago

July 12, 2022

Priyanka Shet

Panaji: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Tuesday said that he has admitted the Disqualification Petition filed by Congress party against its own two MLAs. Tawadkar told reporters that he has received two Disqualification Petitions filed by Congress party against Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo and Congress MLA Digambar Kamat.

He said that Lobo continues to be Leader of Opposition as of now, as the Congress Legislature Party is yet to inform about the new name.

Tawadkar said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar had filed the Disqualification Petitions against two MLAs on Monday. “I was not available yesterday, so I met the petitioners (of disqualification petition) today,” he said.

The Speaker said that the petition would be taken for consideration after the current Session of Legislative Assembly gets over.

The Congress party on Sunday had announced the action against two of its MLAs – Lobo and Kamat – following the news of rebellion in the Congress Legislature Party. Party’s Goa Desk incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao had accused both the leaders of being involved in antiparty activities.

Patkar had told reporters on Monday that both the MLAs should be disqualified as they have voluntarily given up primary membership of the party by indulging in antiparty activities. (GoaNewsHub)