Major blow to Congress in Goa, party's eight MLAs join BJP to 'strengthen hands of PM Modi'

New Delhi: In a huge setback for Congress in Goa, eight of its MLAs joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today (September 14, 2022). The eight Congress lawmakers who have joined the saffron camp are Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes. 

They also met Goa Chief Minister and BJP leader Pramod Sawant.

"We have joined BJP to strengthen the hands of PM (Narendra) Modi and CM Pramod Sawant," Michael Lobo, one of the eight MLAs who left Congress, said.

"Congress chhodo, BJP ko jodo," he added.

Goa | 8 Congress MLAs incl Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira & Rudolf Fernandes to join BJP today; also met with CM Pramod Sawant pic.twitter.com/rAffvBqMzB — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2022

In the 40-member Goa Assembly, the Congress now has three legislators, while the BJP's strength has increased from 20 to 28. 

Earlier in 2019, 10 Congress MLAs had also switched over to the saffron camp.

Congress 'chhodo yatra' has begun from Goa: Pramod Sawant

Goa CM Pramod Sawant, meanwhile, said that the MLAs of Congress have joined the BJP "unconditionally".

"With today's development, the BJP now enjoys the support of 33 MLAs (including two of the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party and three Independents). These Congress MLAs have joined the BJP unconditionally," Sawant said.

He also said that the "Congress chhodo yatra" has begun from Goa and exuded confidence that the BJP will win another Lok Sabha seat in Goa in the next elections.

LIVE : BJP Press Conference https://t.co/I4cHR9v6oz — Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) September 14, 2022

Of the two Lok Sabha seats in the coastal state, the BJP and the Congress represent one each.

"In the 2024 polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be re-elected with the support of more than 400 MPs," he added.

Congress sees defections amid its 150-day long 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'  

The setback for the Grand Old Party comes amid its 150-day long "Bharat Jodo Yatra", which is aimed at combating the alleged divide in the country and rejuvenating the party organisation. Congress' former president Rahul Gandhi, along with several top leaders of the party, began the Yatra from Kanyakumari last week and after traversing through Tamil Nadu, it is now passing through Kerala.

The 3,570-kilometer-long foot march is scheduled to cover 12 states and two Union territories.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which entered Kerala on September 10 evening, will traverse through the state covering 450 kilometers, touching seven districts over a period of 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.

(With agency inputs)