BJP’s Lobo joins Congress with his wife

PANJIM: The first minister of the Pramod Sawant government Michael Lobo who resigned on Monday joined the Congress on Tuesday evening, along with his wife and Parra Sarpanch Delilah Lobo, in a small ceremony at the Congress headquarters, with no fanfare and support from party workers.

Leader of the opposition Digambar Kamat, AICC Desk in Charge Dinesh Gundu Rao and Senior Vice President MK Sheikh were in the dais to induct Lobo. A few sarpanchas and panchas of the Calangute constituency and some from Siolim also joined along with the Lobo couple.

It is learned that Congress has promised tickets to both Lobo and his wife

After the ceremony, Lobo refused to comment on Power Minister Nilesh Cabral calling him “ a rotten mango”. “Two days back Cabral came to my residence because he knew whether I am required in BJP or not. I don’t want to talk against him (Cabral) because he is my ex-colleague. So we respect our relation. Now we will fight coming elections opposite sides.” 

Lobo claimed that the Congress will secure 22 plus seats in the February 14 Assembly elections and will give a stable government in the State.

“I have joined Congress to take Goa in the right direction and for the welfare of the people as Goa is suffering. Nobody is there to listen to their voices. People are joining Congress as they know that if we want to take people in the right direction then Congress is the only option,” he said.

The former Deputy Speaker said that defections have to end. If anybody wants to switch over from one party to another then he should resign and recontest the election like what Vishwajit Rane did in 2017.

Welcoming Lobo and his wife into the Congress, Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat said that people are with the Congress and people feel that the BJP should not come to power again. The decision of Lobo, his wife, and supporters is very correct at this juncture and as people are angry at the BJP, he added.

 Delilah Lobo also thanked Congress leaders and said that they will create history in Siolim constituency by winning the seat for the Congress party. Congress has to date not won the Siolim seat, she said.

AICC Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao said that it is a happy moment as Lobo has joined Congress. “He is connected to the common man. He has good camaraderie in his constituency and surrounding. This will help Congress to be stronger,” he said.

Former Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday offered no comments to the allegations made by former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes that a mining mafia, a formalin mafia, and drug mafia were out to sell Goa.