“Those who want to leave the party, can you stop them? Anybody is free to take a decision. Congress party does not belong to one individual, it is a movement,” Faleiro told media persons on the sidelines of the Martyrdom Day function in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The Congress Chief was responding to a question on how a few party MLAs are in contact with other parties. “I cannot stop anyone who wants to leave the party,” he said.

Congress was reduced to nine MLAs in the 2012 Assembly elections and is now left with eight after it expelled St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate for anti-party activities. The number will be further reduced as Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho has already said he will contest on a BJP ticket.

Asked whether sitting MLAs would be granted tickets, Faleiro said “Congress always respected and given priority to the sitting MLAs. The sitting MLAs normally get tickets unless there is some problem,” he said adding that the Pradesh Election Committee will soon meet to scrutinise the probable candidate list submitted by the District Committees.

Congress is currently facing rebellion in the State ahead of the elections. Unhappy with the functioning of the State leadership, a few of its MLAs are looking at alternatives.

Congress Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar has openly expressed his displeasure towards the party functioning and there is speculation that he is in talks with the BJP for a ticket. Similarly, Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar is also reported to be in contact with BJP and may contest the 2017 election on the saffron party ticket.

Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane, who had been lobbying hard for a grand alliance, is currently in process of floating a new political front ‘ Sattari Yuva Manch’, on which he is then likely to contest. Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate is slated to contest on the party to be floated by her husband Atanasio.