Carlos Almeida joined the Congressahead of Goa Assembly elections
Gomantak Times
BJP MLA from Vasco, Carlos Almeida, who resigned from the party, joined the Congress in presence of the Goa Congress Desk in charge Dinesh Gundu Rao along with 7 councillors on Wednesday, December 22.
Dinesh Gundu Rao said that Almeida's entry into Congress will strengthen the party. "We are happy that he (Carlos Almeida) has taken this decision today. But I am happier that this decision was his workers, his people and they have all come together to join Congress in the interest of Goa and future of Goa," Rao said.
Rao further said that the BJP government has ruined the state and has become a "negative destructive force. "They don't want to win the elections, they only want to see other people lose. They want to divide other political parties, they want to use their money power. And this force has to be sent out of Goa. Congress has got a history of serving people and we will stand by the people," Rao said.
On Tuesday, Almeida become the second BJP legislator to leave the party ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled early next year. Almeida said BJP is not the same party after former chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s death.
With Almeida’s exit, BJP has lost two of its sitting MLAs. The strength of the Goa Assembly was reduced to 33 from 40. So far, three MLAs from Congress, two from BJP, one from Goa Forward Party and one independent MLA have resigned.