10 of 15 Congress MLAs merge with ruling BJP

Goa: In a dramatic turn of events in Goa, two-thirds (10 of the 15) MLAs of the Congress Legislative Party on Wednesday resigned and met the Speaker of the 40-member Assembly in their bid to merge with the ruling BJP. Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo has confirmed that all resignations were accepted.

The group, led by Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, met Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar in the evening and gave him a letter, informing him about their breaking away from the party. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who was also present there, said the 10 Congress MLAs have merged with the BJP, taking the latter's tally up to 27.

"They had come for the development of the state and their constituency. They have not put forward any condition, they have joined the BJP unconditionally," he said. Deputy Speaker Lobo said the MLAs will now meet Home Minister Amit Shah before officially joining the BJP.