Two of the three legislators from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in Goa merged their party's legislative wing with the BJP today. The party now has 14 legislators in the 40-member state assembly. Legislators Manohar Ajgaonkar and Dipak Pawaskar gave a letter to merge the MGP legislature party with the BJP to officiating Goa Assembly Speaker Michael Lobo at around 1:45AM today. The mid-night political events have increased the strength of the BJP from 12 to 14 in the 40-member House, bringing them on par with opposition Congress which has an equal number of legislators on the floor.
As two out of the three lawmakers have merged the legislative wing, they are saved from inviting anti-defection law, which makes it mandatory that two-third of the strength should agree for merger.
Here are the LIVE updates on the political developments in Goa
Goa BJP Gains As Two Lawmakers From Ally Join In 2 am SwitchGoa BJP Gains As Two Lawmakers From Ally Join In 2 am Switch | NDTV.com Video
BJP Sails Through Goa Floor Test After Allies' Hard Bargain: 10 PointsGoa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has won a floor test after his 2 am-oath ceremony on Monday night following tough negotiations to keep the BJP-led coalition running after the death of Manohar Parrikar. 20 lawmakers voted in favour of Mr Sawant, whereas 15 voted against him."
