Congress files disqualification petition against two of its MLAs

Panaji: The Congress Party in Goa on Monday filed disqualification petitions with Speaker of Legislative Assembly Ramesh Tawadkar against two of its MLAs – Michael Lobo and Digambar Kamat.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar said that the disqualification petitions have been filed by him against Lobo and Kamat. He said that Speaker has been informed about the Congress Legislature Party’s decision to remove Lobo as leader of opposition.

Congress is currently embroiled in the political developments after five of its MLAs remained incommunicado during Sunday evening. But later they surfaced to attend the first day of Assembly session on Monday.

Patkar said that the disqualification petitions are filed against both the MLAs as “they have voluntarily given up membership of the party.” “There is a Supreme Court judgment that any anti-party activity amounts to giving up of the membership of the party,” he said.

The GPCC chief said that there was a move by BJP to split the Congress Legislature Party but it failed as they could not get two-third majority.

“BJP wanted to repeat what they have done in Maharashtra in terms of money and muscle power. We ensured on Sunday that the defection in our party stops,” he said adding that BJP does not want any opposition and that is why they resort to such actions.