The “Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram” saying in Goan political scenario stays relevant.
On Wednesday, eight Congress MLAs, who before the elections had sworn at several religious places never to switch sides, have now betrayed their voters by the party to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
This new political development came as a shock to many Congress supporters who had stood by their candidates when there was an overwhelming BJP wave all over the state and the country.
On Wednesday morning, several Congress MLAs gathered in the Goa Legislative Assembly Complex, Porvorim, to join the BJP.
Initially, media personnel were barred from entering the complex.
Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Ramesh Tawadkar is in Delhi and likely to arrive in Goa today evening.
The eight defectors of the Congress are MLAs Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Rajesh Faldessai, Digambar Kamat, Aleixo Sequeira, Rudolf Fernandes and Sankalp Amonkar. Available information states that a resolution has been taken by these MLAs which will be submitted to the speaker and these MLAs will then join the BJP.
Soon after news flashed of this political churning, angry reactions poured on social media platforms.
A popular Panjim-based author and senior journalist Alexandre Moniz Barbosa wrote a cryptic yet metaphorical message posting a picture in which a man is fishing and a trawler is venturing into the deep sea for a catch.
He wrote, “As 8# Goa Congress MLAs fish in murky political waters, this Goenkar fishes for his meal in the waters of River Mandovi, while a trawler proceeds to the high seas to net their catch of marine resources”.
Swapnesh Sherlekar, a social activist, wrote on social media, posting a picture in which eight Congress MLAs are seen meeting Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in his office. Sherlekar wrote “Sawant seen throwing biscuits to xxxx (scavengers)”.