'Congress chhodo, BJP ko jodo,' says Michael Lobo as 8 MLAs jump ship

After eight Congress MLAs in Goa joined the BJP on Wednesday, former Congress MLA Michael Lobo said that it is time to leave the grand old party and join the BJP.

"We have joined BJP to strengthen the hands of PM Modi and CM Pramod Sawant... 'Congress chhodo, BJP ko jodo'," said Lobo.

Also Read — Congress strength decimated to 3 as 8 Goa MLAs join BJP

Those who joined the BJP include Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Rajesh Phaldesai, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes.

In a similar move in July 2019, 10 Congress MLAs had switched over to the BJP in Goa. The BJP retained power in the coastal state after the state Assembly elections in March this year.

It has 20 MLAs in the Assembly, while the Congress’ strength will be depleted from 11 to three.

Earlier on Wednesday, a resolution was passed in the Congress Legislature Party meeting here to merge with the BJP, Lobo said. The three other Congress MLAs - Yuri Alemao, Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira - were not present when the resolution was passed, he added.

Sawant told reporters that no decision has been taken yet on a cabinet reshuffle in the backdrop of the BJP strength rising to 28 in the House. The eight Congress MLAs have joined the BJP unconditionally, Sawant said.

(With agency inputs)