Crisis for Congress in Goa: 5 MLAs seek to join BJP

By: Deepak Maggu

But we should remember that at the last moment, the MLAs turn back and start building bridges to praise their party. In politics, time changes in a moment, emotions change.

The Congress itself has claimed that its 5 MLAs are in touch with the BJP and not in contact with it. Taking suo motu cognizance, Sonia Gandhi has sent Mukul Wasnik to Goa to understand and handle the situation. The Congress, which has 11 MLAs in the Goa Legislative Assembly, has feared a breakdown. That is why such rapid action is being taken. If we look at the last 8 years, then this will be the first decision of the Congress High Command on any incident very quickly.

Congress's concern is understandable; after all, this is not the first time that Congress MLAs have joined the BJP. Earlier in 2019 too, giving a jolt to the Congress, many MLAs had joined the BJP. After which, preparations are on to repeat that history once again. In the year 2019, the then Leader of Opposition, Chandrakant 'Babu' Kavlekar, joined the BJP along with nine Congress MLAs.

Interestingly, the Congress has accused two of its MLAs, Mitchell Lobo and Digambar Kamat, of conspiring with the BJP to break two-thirds of the Goa Congress, which can help skirt the anti-defection law. That is why the Congress first removed Mitchell Lobo as the Leader of the Opposition and has now urged the Speaker to cancel the assembly membership of Lobo and former Chief Minister Kamat. At the same time, both Kamat and Lobo have expressed surprise, rejecting these allegations outright.

It will be interesting to see whether the Congress party breaks up like in 2019 or not, and whether the result of the breakup will be a merger or cancellation of membership. In both cases, the Congress will be weak, and the BJP may still have the pain of losing the South Goa seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP is trying its best to break the Congress and win both the seats in 2024.

Right now there are reports of five MLAs rebelling (Michael Lobo, Digambar Kamat, Kedar Naik, Rajesh Faldesai and Delialah Lobo ), but if it breaks down, then the number will increase to 10. Then it should not be surprising that this has happened many times in Indian politics.

But we should remember that at the last moment, the MLAs turn back and start building bridges to praise their party. In politics, time changes in a moment, emotions change.

*Others: Goa forward party, Aam admi party, Independent etc.

*Congress and Congress rebel MLAs can move 2-4 up and down depending on the situation.