Two separate disqualification pleas filed against rebel Congress MLAs

Team Herald

PANJIM: Two separate disqualification petitions have been filed against the eight rebel Congress MLAs, who left the party and joined BJP in September. 

Former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar and RTI activist Domnic Noronha have filed disqualification petitions before Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. 

In September, former Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo, MLAs Digambar Kamat, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Rajesh Phaldesai, Sankalp Amonkar, Rudolfo Fernandes and Aleixo Sequeira had joined BJP after passing a resolution to merge the Congress legislative wing with the BJP. The merger was accepted by the Speaker. 

The Congress’ strength in the Assembly dwindled to three after the exit of eight MLAs. 

Despite repeated attempts, Chodankar remained unavailable for the comments.

It is learnt from sources that Congress as a party will be filing another disqualification petition against the defectors in the coming week. 

Congress President Amit Patkar had in July filed a disqualification petition against Kamat and Lobo, before they crossed over to the other side, for trying to split the party in connivance with the ruling BJP. Speaker has already had a single hearing on the plea, so far.