2 Goa Congress MLAs join BJP after meeting Amit Shah in Delhi

Goa was witnessing hectic political activity against the backdrop of the ill-health of Chief minister Manohar Parrikar. He is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his private residence at Dona Paula near here. Parrikar's health has improved and doctors have advised him rest for a week, reported PTI on Monday.

We are joining BJP today. We expect 2-3 more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days: Subhash Shirodkar after meeting BJP President Amit Shah in Delhi. (PIC/ANI)

Panaji: In a huge setback to the Congress in Goa, two of its legislators resigned as members of the state Assembly this morning. Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte arrived in New Delhi and met BJP chief Amit Shah to announce that they have joined the saffron party. "Congress legislators Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte faxed their resignations as members of the Assembly to my office. We have received their resignations," Speaker Pramod Sawant told news agency PTI. With this, the Congress' strength in the 40-member Assembly reduced to 14 from 16. It was the single largest party before the resignations. BJP has the support of 23 MLAs and is in government in the coastal state. BJP has 14 MLAs. It is being backed by three each from the Goa Forward Party, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three Independents. Viral Video: Former BSP MP's son brandishes pistol, threatens to kill couple in Delhi's 5-star hotel After meeting Shah, Shirodkar told media persons, “We are joining BJP today. We expect 2-3 more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days.” Sopte, 54, represented the Mandrem Assembly constituency in North Goa district and Shirodkar, 66, was elected from the Shiroda in South Goa district. Both the legislators had gone to Delhi Monday night, fuelling speculation that they might quit the Congress and join the BJP.

We are joining BJP today. We expect 2-3 more MLAs to come, not today but in the coming days: Subhash Shirodkar after meeting BJP President Amit Shah #Delhi pic.twitter.com/2VPAZFCh73

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2018

Goa was witnessing hectic political activity against the backdrop of the ill-health of Chief minister Manohar Parrikar. He is currently being treated by doctors from state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital at his private residence at Dona Paula near here. Parrikar's health has improved and doctors have advised him rest for a week, reported PTI on Monday.