Panaji, Sep 14 (IANS): In yet another setback to Congress in Goa, a group of eight MLAs led by Michael Lobo, who was removed from post of leader of opposition, joined the ruling BJP on Wednesday.

With this, the number of BJP legislators has gone up to 28 and strength to 33 in the 40-member Assembly.

Congress had 11 MLAs among the 40 members of the House. While BJP had 20 MLAs, which now increased to 28. However, the BJP had support of two MGP legislators besides three independent MLAs. Hence, the strength of the saffron party has gone up to 33 and that of Congress reduced to three.

Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Rajesh Faldesai, Aleixo Sequeira and Rudolf Fernandes are the eight legislators which have switched parties.

After the formalities of merger, Lobo along with Digambar Kamat and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant addressed the media at the Assembly complex.

Michael Lobo, speaking to the media, said that eight Congress MLAs had called a CLP meeting in the morning and after discussion decided to merge with BJP.

"We took the resolution of the merging party and handed over a copy to the legislative secretary. We gave one copy to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and informed the Assembly speaker about it," Lobo said.

"We have joined BJP to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and also for the development of Goa," Lobo said.

Former Chief Minister Digamabar Kamat said in politics, decisions are based on the circumstances. "I had said initially, that whatever was happening in Congress was not good. If you read the letter of Ghulam Nabi Azad, while leaving Congress, you can draw conclusions that instead of 'Bharat Jodo yatra' Congress should have launched 'Congress Jodo Yatra'," Kamat said.

"Citizens of our nation are treated with respect at international level under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nobody dares to disrespect Indians in any country. Because such an environment has been created by our Prime Minister in the world. India will become a super power. While this is happening, Goa should not stay behind. For this to strengthen the Chief Minister and overall development of Goa we have joined BJP," Kamat praising the PM and Goa CM said.

Chief Minister Sawant said that Congress eight MLAS have merged with BJP. "I welcome them all. We will take BJP and Goa ahead,"Sawant said.

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myna, mysuru
Thu, Sep 15 2022
The foolishness of congress to admit Michael Lobo has ended up in this mess. In spite of getting the post of the Leader of Opposition which is a cabinet rank post, this greedy man without any ethics in politics was trusted by the party. It was surprising why Digambar Kamath who was all along with the party leadership was ignored for the post.

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John, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
People stand in line to vote for this guys and they change party for money. whats is the point in voting

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Harish, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
All blackmail. Cowerds

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Gibbs, Udupi/Bengaluru
Wed, Sep 14 2022
MONEY POWER, MUCLE POWER, ED, CBI & INCOME TAX AUTHORITIES threats to MLA's so these bloody MLA's left Congress and joined Jumlaa party??? SHAME ON THESE MLA'S as they ditched peoples trust and left Congress. People of their constituencies must hit them in old flip flops!!! Definitely many will loose next elections!!! Bharath Jodoo Yatra is going to Goa soon.

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Roshan, Mangaluru
Wed, Sep 14 2022
They swore on God after getting the party tickets, even before elections promising never to desert the party, after getting elected. Leaving the party now speaks for itself. People rejoicing, have not yet able to comprehend the pain and misery they are going to bring on nation. There can be only 2 reason they moved to BJP, either 1. They are not able to make money being in congress, that means indulge in corruption 2. They are scared to ED, IT, CBI, NCB, Judiciary, etc. They are anyway not worth for people.

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Michael Dsouza, Mumbai/Kuwait
Wed, Sep 14 2022
This Michael Lobo and group have merged with the BJP is a good sign for the Congress because these good for nothing group and greedy guys always do like monkeys jumping from one tree to another for their self interest and not for the interest of Goan people. Goan people should open their eyes and teach these hungry bunnies a lesson that even their deposits should be lost in 2024 election. Nowadays its become a joke everyone joins the BJP because of money and position they offer, the peoples welfare and development is not looked at. Unless the people punish these greedy MLA's in near future our democracy will be murdered. Mike

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Ahmed, Bangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
These hoppers thinking that by joining BJP they will get their share. They forgot that they need to get elected by people by votes. Do they think the voters will vote them, yes may be they may receive their vote share from their stoiges/chamchas, but in reality their fate will be 'Dhobi ka kutta na ghar ka na ghaat ka". No matter even if BJP try to hijack all MLA's, there will be new faces who will stand election and there are people who votes based on party not based on candidates name, so if they think that Modi will be re-elected by 400 margin then they are day dreaming. By the way party is getting cleaned up automatically of Namak Harams. Jo party ka na hua wo public ka kya hoga.

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Ahmed, Bangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
These hoppers thinking that by joining BJP they will get their share. They forgot that they need to get elected by people by votes. Do they think the voters will vote them, yes may be they may receive their vote share from their stoiges/chamchas, but in reality their fate will be 'Dhobi ka kutta na ghar ka na ghaat ka". No matter even if BJP try to hijack all MLA's, there will be new faces who will stand election and there are people who votes based on party not based on candidates name, so if they think that Modi will be re-elected by 400 margin then they are day dreaming. By the way party is getting cleaned up automatically of Namak Harams. Jo party ka na hua wo public ka kya hoga.

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Mahesh, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Congress should have conducted president election first and then conducted the Yatra . The newly elected president should have led it pan India. It would have served a good cause and also helped to launch the new party president. Now I hate to admit, its not a good sign. Candidates leaving is not a good sign for any organization for that matter.

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Karen Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Look at it this way, the more BJP includes Congress MLA's these people have infiltrated the saffron party. The BJP has in essence, surrounded itself with people who come from opposing ideologies. Tiryacharitra applies here too. Only time will tell, if BJP will survive past its fervor.

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Thomas Andrade, Toronto
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Like BJP did in the past with non-BJP ruled States, recent being Maharashtra, they did it now with Goa too, which was expected. It never happened in the Indian history but now it’s happening. It’s horse-trading, buying the elected MLAs or MPs to weaken the elected government. What can you expect from these ready-to-be-sold MLAs who betrayed those people who sent these badwas to the Assembly?

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Hussain, Qatar
Wed, Sep 14 2022
People of Goa will never vote for Congress again as it is same like voting for bjp

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Sangram Sangam, KUNDAPUR
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Bharat JODO(Family bachavoo ) now became CONGRESS CHODO

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Sreekumar, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
The Aam Aadmi Party is the only option to prevent the BJP from forming a government in Karnataka in 2023, because if they vote for the Congress, the number of seats required for the BJP to form a government can be purchased through horse trading like they did in Goa. So, voting for the Congress and BJP is the same.

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Surendra Poojari, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Absolutely right. It's better to give chance to AAP as we are fed up with Congress/BJP/Janata Dal. Definitely AAP will be better option.

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A.M. Belma, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Not sure what will happen at the end of the 6 month Yathra. The Yathra commenced as the strong pillar of the party, Gulam Nabi Azadji left. Now 8 more, seriously? The Yathra is not joining forces and not working as expected.

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Charles D'Mello, Pangala
Wed, Sep 14 2022
"Citizens of our nation are treated with respect at international level under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nobody dares to disrespect Indians in any country. Because such an environment has been created by our Prime Minister in the world"...........This is a big lie BJP. I had spent 25 years outside India. This is nothing but fooling Indian citizens who have not gone outside of India. This India Pakistan card is also to fool those who have not gone outside India.

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jb, mlore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
i dont think you have travelled around the world. I have seen the difference back in 2009 you were compared along with srilanka,bangladesh,nepal and pakistan . Now things have changed drastically , people who have been travelling know it better . The attitude of the officials or citizens from the visa processing time ,entering and exiting a country have changed a lot. Personally seen big difference in Australia, Uk and Europe . Most of other developing country citizens are seen as refugees and always been under suspicions .

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Kumar, Al-Khor, Qatar
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Charles D'Mello, Pangala After beating UK in economic development growth rate, I am seeing appreciations pouring in from Europeans and Americans also. These is due to strong foundation of our PM, Mr. PVN Rao in 1990s and also successive governments after 1990s maintained the growth. Looks your comment is towards hating Modi, but it should not be at the cost of Mother India..

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Surendra Poojari, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Charles you are absolutely right. Earlier Indians were respected and now everyone looks in suspision. This is thanks to Modi and his chelas who have spoilt the image of India.

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RANGA, MANGALORE
Wed, Sep 14 2022
..once Rahul finishes his 'JODO' yatra, it seems his party will become zero by Bjps 'THODO' yatra..

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Dev, Mangalore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
While ruling the Supreme Court diluted the Anti Defection Law by allowing the MLA s to contest again, in Karnataka. If the court had disqualified them for 6 years from the date of jumping to another party or resigning then all this sabotage of Democracy wouldn't have happened. Congress & Shiv Sena now have to approach the Supreme Court under new CJI to stop this hijacking of democracy through lure of money, ED, CBI & IT by ruling party. The same way they have to appeal the court once again to cross verify 50% VVPATS with EVMs randomly selected by the losing candidate, or better still go back to ballot papers which can't be programmed other than switching ballot boxes to manipulate the elections.

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Kedhar, Mangaluru
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Hai Jairama!! You said that the Elephant, long sleeping had woken up ! The mahout also who was sleeping ( not clear) had woken up with his ankush and leading it causing opponents to run helter skelter! Now what is this? Where is Elephant and Mahout 🤔? After Rahul meeting Ponnu and asking him who Lord Jesus was, this has happened?? Almost all Christian MLAs have dumped him in Goa?? What's happening? Where's Solar Venu?? Still sleeping in the wooden bench at Kanyakumari??

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Alfria, Manglore/Mumbai
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Money matters religion doesn't come in way of money greedy politicians will compromise with anything.

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Ramesh, Manglore
Wed, Sep 14 2022
ha ha ha. Effect of Bharath chhodo yathra.

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Golibaje, Bajegoli
Wed, Sep 14 2022
Oneday Shameless BJP ask Rahul to support BJP and offer him PM post just wait see

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Another jolt to Congress as 8 MLAs in Goa cross over to BJP

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Comment on this article

myna, mysuru

John, Mangalore

Harish, Mangalore

Gibbs, Udupi/Bengaluru

Roshan, Mangaluru

Michael Dsouza, Mumbai/Kuwait

Ahmed, Bangalore

Ahmed, Bangalore

Mahesh, Mangalore

Karen Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

Thomas Andrade, Toronto

Hussain, Qatar

Sangram Sangam, KUNDAPUR

Sreekumar, Mangalore

Surendra Poojari, Mangalore

A.M. Belma, Mangalore

Charles D'Mello, Pangala

jb, mlore

Kumar, Al-Khor, Qatar

Surendra Poojari, Mangalore

RANGA, MANGALORE

Dev, Mangalore

Kedhar, Mangaluru

Alfria, Manglore/Mumbai

Ramesh, Manglore

Golibaje, Bajegoli

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Title: Another jolt to Congress as 8 MLAs in Goa cross over to BJP

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