Goa: 1-2 Congress MLAs could join BJP anytime soon?

PANAJI: While the Goa convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) told media persons in the State capital today that two Congress MLAs in the tourist State are likely to switch sides and join the BJP, at least one Congress MLA in Goa is in advanced talks with the ruling party in the State, we have learnt.

The single Congress MLA – if he does switch sides, will have to resign and contest elections once again on a BJP ticket in the next 6 months if he switches sides and goes to another party, however if two Congress MLAs switch sides they will be safe (due to the 10th schedule of the Anti Defection Act) and will not have to face elections once again.

The AAP in Goa has alleged that two Congress MLAs are in talks with the BJP and could switch over as early as this weekend, but sources in the know claimed there was only one Congress MLA who was considering the option and seriously discussing with the BJP.

Senior Congress leaders in Goa were unavailable for comment and one Goan Congress MLA (not the one likely to switch) who spoke to us, rubbished the “theory’ stating that the AAP was doing what it always does best – misguiding Goans. He said the Congress MLAs are all together with the party and none of them are likely to switch sides. He also said it was BJP leaders who wanted to come into the Congress.