Congress MLAs’ desperate plan to resign and contest by-elections unfolding

PANJIM: A desperate and ugly plan led by the same suspects who were architects of the earlier attempt a month ago, to make a clean break from the Congress and merge their group into BJP, to do a repeat has emerged. It is reliably learned that this time there are five MLAs including the same senior MLA who was at the forefront of this move is ready to resign as MLAs and contest by-elections on a BJP ticket.

Slowly the clouds over the clear picture that the Congress has been doing all it can to facilitate the BJP gaining strength is lifting, according to voices emerging.

Former MLA and a veteran of politicking Radharao Gracias said, “Congress has no longer the ability to take a decision and enforce it. What is happening in Congress is a sign of continuing typical culture wherein leaders resign and are calling the shots. The resignations are for public consumption. In Goa Congress means business, where tickets are distributed for consideration and ideologies, are given go by. The MLAs have no attachment to the party.”

Trajano D’Mello, a political spokesperson said, “The trust of people in main opposition party is at its lowest by the behaviour of its leaders and MLAs. People who had sold Congress tickets at the time of Assembly elections are once again propping up their heads to benefit from the likely sale (defections) to happen.”  

Before the last monsoon session, there were 9 MLAs who were ready to cross over. However, a day before this could happen, a few of them pulled back, for various reasons including demands that were not met. This despite an oath taken before different religious shrines that no MLAs of the Congress would defect.

It is learnt that these MLAs are independently holding backroom discussions with the BJP top brass, both at the Centre and in Goa. However, their path is not completely clear as there are pockets of opposition locally, but ultimately the State unit would bow down to what the Centre wants.

This is the way in which Congress is indirectly helping the BJP.

As Radharao Gracias said, “The MLAs have no attachment to the party,” and this is getting evident. The BJP wants to add to its tally of 22 MLAs plus 3 Independents. If five Congress MLAs contest byelections and win the strength of the BJP will go up to 30. This in turn will help them when they contest the two Lok Sabha seats and secure another Rajya Sabha seat when the term of the current member Vinay Tendulkar gets over.

The joint operation is clear. After removing Michael Lobo as leader of the opposition and initiating a disqualification petition to the speaker against him, Lobo has been sharing the dais with party leaders and taking part in processions on prices with the Congress. Digambar Kamat, who is officially “retired hurt” from Congress, continues to be an honourable senior leader of the party. 

The Congress has made no move to expel them from the party. One senior member of the party holding a position remarked, “What can one say? The party will take no action against them, and they will continue to strengthen the BJP. The picture is clear.”