The political drama in Goa took a new turn after two MLAs from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) joined BJP early Wednesday, taking BJP’s count to 14 legislators.
“Two MGP MLAs Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar have joined BJP for the stability of the government. Automatically, our strength has grown to 14,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told ANI.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant on merger of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Legislative Party with BJP: Two MGP MLAs Manohar Ajgaonkar & Deepak Pauskar have joined BJP for the stability of the government. Automatically, our strength has grown to 14. pic.twitter.com/ByF838ftOk
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2019
Two out of three Legislators, Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar, gave a letter to merge the MGP legislature party with the BJP to officiating Goa Assembly Speaker Michael Lobo at 1:45 am.
“The next government will be formed by BJP because wherever he (PM Modi) goes, people say Modi, Modi. Because of Modi, BJP has developed in Goa,” MGP MLA Manohar Ajgaonkar said.
“We have happily joined BJP. Oath-taking ceremony will take place at 12 PM (today) in the presence of Goa Governor. We will accept whatever ministry will be given to us by Goa CM, “Pauskar said.
Ajgaonkar is tourism minister, while Dhavalikar is a deputy chief minister in the BJP-led state government in Goa. However, Sunil Dhavalikar’s signature is not present in the letter submitted to the speaker. Both legislators, Ajgaonkar and Pauskar broke away from the MGP and formed a group, MGP (two).
Sawant had won the floor test in the state Assembly after 20 MLAs including 11 from BJP and three each from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Independents voted in his favour.
(With ANI inputs)