PANJIM: Falling short of a clear majority in the 40-Member Assembly, the “Planned independents” have given the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) the much needed support.
The three independents namely Dr Chandrakant Shetye (Bicholim), Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco (Curtorim) and Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Member Anton Vas (Cortalim) appear to be “Planned MLAs” by the BJP who have proximity to the latter.
Soon after results were declared, Dr Shetye immediately declared his support to the BJP while, Anton Vas is also known to be a “BJP sympathiser”.
Lourenco, who contested the election as an independent candidate and won fourth time from his home Curtorim constituency, in all probability will lean towards the BJP and may be rewarded with a Cabinet berth.
In December last, Lourenco quit the Congress even after he was renominated by the party to contest the election and joined the TMC. Within a month he resigned from the TMC but he was ignored by the Congress, who maintained that the former MLA had not rejoined the party.
Meanwhile, BJP who won 20 seats requires support of independents and other smaller parties including the MGP, which would help the BJP to provide a stable government in State.
