by Rupesh Samant

Panaji, March 27 (Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strengthened its numbers in Goa Legislative Assembly after two out of three MLAs from its ally, MGP, broke away to join Amit Shah-led political outfit during wee hours of Wednesday.

State Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and another MLA Dipak Pawaskar, who were amongst the three legislators supporting Pramod Sawant-led alliance in the State, broke away from their parent party forming MGP (two) group, and later merged into BJP.

Officiating Speaker Michael Lobo confirmed that he received letter from both the MLAs at 1.45 a.m. on Wednesday merging their legislature party into BJP.

He said that the signature of third MLA Sudin Dhavalikar, who is also State Transport Minister, was not there on the letter.

The mid-night political drama has increase the strength of BJP from 12 to 14 in 36 seat House, bringing them par with opposition Congress party which has equal number of MLAs on the floor.

MGP is an alliance partner of BJP in the State since the year 2012.

Pawaskar said that the resolution to split from MGP and create another faction was taken by him along with Ajgaonkar at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

“After adopting the resolution, we approached Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with the letter, who instructed us to submit it to officiating Speaker Michael Lobo,” he said.

Pawaskar said the letter was finally handed over at 1.45 a.m. of Wednesday.

The MGP MLA said that the decision to split the legislature wing and merge into BJP was taken “in the interest of people from constituency.”

“People from my constituency wanted that I should join BJP. We were also resigned to the fact that we could not take MGP forward in the State,” he said.

Pawaskar confirmed that he would be inducted in Sawant-led cabinet by dropping third MLA Sudin Dhavalikar.

As two out of total three MLAs of MGP have split from the legislative wing, they are saved from inviting wrath of anti-defection law, which makes it mandatory that two-third of the strength should agree for the merger.

MGP is an ally of BJP in Pramod Sawant led government with all the three MLAs supporting the Chief Minister along with legislators from Goa Forward Party and Independents.

Sawant who faced floor test last week after the demise on Manohar Parrikar was supported by 20 MLAs as against 15 from opposition.

The political development came, hours after MGP President Dipak Dhavalikar, had threatened to withdraw from Sawant-led government citing conspiracy.

MGP president Dipak Dhavalikar had alleged one of his party's officer-bearers was "made to issue a letter" to the governor and speaker declaring authority over entire legislative affairs of the outfit.
Dhavalikar said the MGP central committee would meet on Wednesday afternoon to chalk out its future course of action, which, he claimed, can decide the fate of the state government.

Meanwhile, Congress has sharply reacted to the joining of two MGP MLAs into BJP.

“BJP has proved that it is a threat to all it’s allies,” Congress’ Goa Chief Spokesman Sunil Kawthankar said. “This is a clear indication to all NDA partners all over country just before Lok sabha election that any partnership with BJP will be detrimental to the existence of their own party,” he added.