Strengthening the power in state, two MGP MLAs in Goa end up joining BJP..!

Panaji, March 27: Following the late night developments in the state, a couple of MLAs in Goa named Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) have ended up joining BJP, now strengthening 14 legislators in the house, equating Congress.

 

 

The 2 am action was sanctioned by acting Speaker Michael Lobo. He confirmed the development saying that his office was contacted by the two MLAs around 1:30 am when they walked in with a letter, and by 2 am their letters were officially accepted. “I can at this stage confirm they are now officially with the BJP”, said Lobo. The two MGP MLAs were later accompanied by Tendulkar and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to the office of the Speaker.

“We, Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar have agreed to merge with the BJP. In view of sub-clause (2) of clause 4 of the 10th Schedule, and in view of the fact that we constitute 2/3rds of the members of the legislative party, such merger shall be deemed to have taken place,” the letter submitted by Manohar Ajgaonkar read.

BJP state president Vinay Tendulkar speaking in relation said, “Sudin Dhavlikar promised late Manohar Parrikar that his party will not contest against us in the by-polls, and during the talks with Nitin Gadkari they repeated the same. We finally think this was inevitable. The two MLAs also approached us stating they want a stable government”.

Meanwhile, the Congress Spokesperson for Goa Sunil Kawthankar in the late night release said, “BJP has proved it is a threat to all its allies, this is a clear indication to all NDA partners all over country just before Lok Sabha elections that any partnership with BJP will be detrimental to the existence of their own party.”

However, when asked about opening office late at night, Michael Lobo said, “the speaker’s job is 24/7, when I got the call, I rushed to the Assembly complex at around 1:30 am”.

“Both me and Babu were never called to a meeting of the central committee. We were never a part of the decision making process in the MGP. Whatever ministry I am given by the Chief Minister I will be happy with it now. MGP party has split. The decision to drop will be taken, and after that there will be a swearing in”, Deepak Pauskar said in relation.