Days after the BJP gained a majority in the Goa assembly, the BJP has reportedly decided to dump the Goa Forward Party by directing its ministers including Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai to resign.
According to local media reports, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed three ministers from Goa Forward Party including the deputy chief minister and revenue minister Rohan Khaunte, who’s an independent MLA, to resign. This is to accommodate the former Congress MLAs, who have just joined the BJP, in the new cabinet.
Reacting to news of BJP planning to sever ties, the Goa Forward Party tweeted, “Goa Forward Party is part of the NDA and had joined the BJP-led state government after talks with the national leadership of the @BJP4India. The present state BJP leaders were not part of the discussions then.”
@Goaforwardparty is part of the NDA and had joined the BJP-led state government after talks with the national leadership of the @BJP4India. The present state BJP leaders were not part of the discussions then. (1/2)
— Goa Forward (@Goaforwardparty) July 12, 2019
Its subsequent tweet read, “As such we will take appropriate steps only after talking with the NDA leadership at the centre.We have not yet received any official communication from the @BJP4India central leaders.On the contrary,we have received indications that the matter will be sorted out amicably.”
As such we will take appropriate steps only after talking with the NDA leadership at the centre.We have not yet received any official communication from the @BJP4India central leaders.On the contrary,we have received indications that the matter will be sorted out amicably. (2/2)
— Goa Forward (@Goaforwardparty) July 12, 2019
With the induction of 10 out of 15 Congress MLAs in the state, the BJP’s strength has gone up to 27 in the 40-seat Goa assembly. Clearly, the saffron party now doesn’t need the Goa Forward Party’s support for the survival of its government.