Goa Politics: Is Michael Lobo on his way back to the BJP?

PANAJI: With the Goa Panchayat polls about a month away and the suspense and anxiety in the Goa unit of the Congress party reaching an all time high, there are rumours that Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and his wife may be on their way back to the BJP.

It is not clear what Saligao MLA and Lobo’s protege Kedar Naik is likely to do, but in all probability he will follow the Lobos back in to the BJP.

The hustings in the Congress have reached a crescendo as a shuffle in the power circles are likely in the coming weeks.

While Lobo has time and again denied that the whispering voices are merely rumours and he is going to stay put in the Congress, his actions speak louder than his words.

He is said to have met top BJP leaders both in Goa, Mumbai and New Delhi and apologized for ditching the party.

Sources said Lobo expressed regret and said ‘sorry’ for leaving the BJP and joining the Congress during the crucial February Assembly polls. The top brass is said to have accepted Lobo’s apology and a formula is being worked out for his ghar wapsi.

It is unlikely that Lobo if he returns to the BJP will get a Ministerial berth immediately and he may have to do with the chairmanship of a corporation or other local entity.

Lobo was not available for comment, but it looks like by-polls in Goa may happen sooner than the 2024 National elections.