Panaji: In a major political development, a group of ten MLAs from Congress party in Goa broke away this evening to merge themselves into BJP.
The group led by leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar met Speaker Rajesh Patnekar in the evening to give a letter informing him about the break away from the party.
Other MLAs include Atanasio Monserratte, Jeniffer Monserratte, Francis Silveira, Philip Nery Rodrigues, Cleaofacio Dias, Wilfred D’Sa, Nilkant Halarnkar and Isidor Fernandes.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was also present when the entire group of legislators arrived at the assembly complex around 7.30 p.m. Deputy Speaker of legislative assembly Michael Lobo was also present with them.
With ten MLAs changing the sides, the strength of Congress o the floor of the House would be reduced to mere five.
BJP is the single largest party with 17, Goa Forward Parrty and Independents are three each, while one each is from NCP and MGP.
When asked, Kavlekar refused to give reason behind their move, but said that they will make statement later in the evening.
