Sanguem Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar met AICC Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao and expressed his desire to join the Congress.
Asked whether he met regional party leaders and independent MLAs during his visit, Rao said, “He (Gaonkar) met me here in Congress office and he had discussions with me.”
To another question whether the Sanguem MLA is interested in joining the Congress, Rao said, “If he has come and discussed, what should I say.”
Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat, who was present, quipped, “You will see after a few days.”
When contacted, Gaonkar admitted that he had a positive discussion with Rao and that his final decision to join Congress will depend on his workers and supporters. The Sanguem MLA said that if he gets a green signal from his workers and the Congress high command, he will join the party.
Gaonkar had initially extended his support to the BJP-led government but withdrew it in October last year over the IIT land issue after Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant alleged that the Sanguem MLA wanted “setting” in the land dealing.
Earlier, in September 2018, Gaonkar had resigned as chairman of Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) alleging lack of support to the Corporation from the government.
