Goa CM Pramod Sawant, Eight Congress Turned BJP MLAs To Meet PM Modi In Delhi Today

The defection comes at a time when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra has started to combat the BJP-led Centre and awaken the people on economic inequalities among other issues

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Goa BJP President Sadanand Shet Tanavade welcome eight Congress MLAs who joined the party, in Panaji on Sept 14.

New Delhi: Eight Goa MLAs, who switched to the BJP from the Congress, are slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday reached Delhi accompanied by the newly-inducted BJP leaders.

Sawant updated about his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the news agency ANI.

On September 14, eight MLAs including former Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat and former leader of Opposition Micheal Lobo from the Congress defected to the BJP, in a merger of the two legislature parties.

The other MLAs include Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes who joined BJP after meeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at the Assembly complex.

"I went to a temple, asked Gods and Goddesses that this (joining BJP) is in my mind, what should I do... God said, you go ahead, don't worry," said former Congress MLA Digambar Kamat.

"We have merged with BJP with a majority of 2/3rd to strengthen the hands of PM Modi and CM Pramod Sawant... Congress Chhodo, BJP ko Jodo," said former Congress MLA Michael Lobo.

Meanwhile, Goa CM Sawant while welcoming the Congress leaders took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra saying, "Congress Chhodo Yatra will begin from Goa now".

With the Congress leaders changing sides, the party’s strength declined from 11 to just three MLAs in the 40-member Assembly.  The BJP already holds a majority of 25 in the House, of which there are its own 20 MLAs with two others from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three independent leaders.

After eight Congress MLAs defected to the BJP, its count has risen to 33.

The defection came at a time when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began the Bharat Jodo Yatra to combat the BJP-led Centre and target the Modi government over issues of economic inequality, social polarisation, and political centralisation.

The Yatra includes Padayatras, rallies, and public meetings which will be attended by the senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at a later point.

(With Agency Inputs)