Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent
Panaji, Aug 14: The 'Back-to-Congress-camp' trend continued in Goa even today with the Save Goa Front joining the Congress-led government by severing ties with the BJP-led Goa democratic alliance.
Late Monday night, SGF supremo Churchill Alemao walked to the Raj Bhavan and declared his intention to support Digamber Kamat-led government, which had plunged into minority since last month.
The reverse trend towards Congress, which was battling hard for numbers on the floor of the house began on Monday morning when United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) MLA Atanasio Monserratte, popularly known as Babush, unexpectedly decided supported the Kamat-led government.
This followed the hectic political moves in the state which saw BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance's hopes to form the next government coming crashing down. The GDA legislators, who were readying themselves for a bigger legal battle in Delhi, found themselves deserted by their own colleagues.
"t was Monserratte, who had initiated the move against Digamber Kamat... We don't mind sitting in the opposition,'' was the quick reaction by BJP leader Manohar Parrikar.
Monserratte, a mastermind behind controversial regional plan 2011, which saw entire state condemning him, began singing pro-Congress paeans soon after he joined Kamat led government.
Though Monserratte is yet to get his reward for reconciliation, Churchill Alemao, a bitter Congress critic, was inducted in the state cabinet this evening for his much-needed support in salvaging kamat government exercise.
Kamat government had plunged into minority on July 25 but survived the floor test on July 30 when speaker Pratapsingh Rane cast his decisive vote. Thereafter the fight was shifted to Rashtrapati Bhavan and Supreme Court wherein the BJP-led GDA had decided to return to power through diplomatic means.
After Monday's development, Digamber Kamat-led government seems to be firm in saddle with 22 legislators in its lap. The GDA, on the other hand, has 17 legislator.
Victoria Fernandes, dissident Congress woman legislator, who had quit the party and joined the GDA bandwagon, is the person who is left with nothing but a 'lose-lose' situation. Fernandes' fate hangs in balance as speaker has not yet accepted her resignation. She is also facing the disqualification petition filed against her by Congress MLA Babu Kavlekar.
Blow Hot, Blow Cold...
The Goan Political 'Tiatr':
- Goan Politics - beyond Comparison, beyond Analysis
- BJP Fears Further Misuse of Speaker's Powers
- GDA Pins Hopes on Prez Pratibha, All Eyes on Delhi
- Assembly Floor - How the Test was Won - Pics
- CM Kamat Survives Floor Test, Thanks to Speaker
- Political Theatre Temporarily Shifts Base to Delhi
- Volte Face, Coups and What Not - History Repeats in Goa - Special Analysis
- GDA Submits 20 Signatures to Form Government
- Assembly Adjourned until Monday, July 30 - Pics
- No Permanent Friend or Foe in Politics: 'Mommy' Victoria
- BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance's Claim to Form Govt
- BJP may Form Government - Hectic Parleys on
- Reduced to Minority, Kamat Government in Doldrums
- Congress Seeks Disqualification of Victoria Fernandes
- Chief Minister to Resist All Attempts at Horse-trading
- CM Puts up a Brave Face as Dissensions Thrive
- With Rumours of Resignations, Govt Faces Rough Weather
- Political Appointments: HC Bench Issues Notices
- Voters Feel Cheated, Thanks to Double-tongued Politicians
- Political Storm Blows over, CM Looks Relieved
- State Govt Totters with Swift Political Developments
- MLA-on-fast Victoria Fernandes Moved to Hospital
- CM Kamat Expands Cabinet with Eight New Ministers
- Allocation of Portfolios a 'Knotty' Problem for Kamat
- Digambar Kamat Sworn in as 19th Chief Minister
- It's Fractured Mandate again - Cong 16, BJP 14, NCP 3