The merger has increased BJP's strength from 12 to 14 in the 40-member House.
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 Chief Minister Drops Deputy
Sudin Dhavalikar, the lone remaining member of the MGP, may now lose his job. He is likely to be replaced by Dipak Pauskar. "I have been assured that there will be a swearing-in at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday afternoon. I will be happy with any Ministry of the Chief Minister's choosing," Mr Pauskar said.
Hours after Manohar Parrikar's death, the BJP had set upon the task of handling smaller parties who demanded more, including the top job, to stay on board. With the opposition Congress making a bid for power, based on its single largest party status, the BJP's meetings went on through the night and much of the next day
What Michael Lobo, the officiating speaker said
"See, the job of a Speaker is 24 hours. When an MLA wants to meet the Speaker, he has to be available. Both MLAs called me and wanted to meet me, in order to merge with the BJP. I had to meet them."
Congress slams merger
"This is a clear indication to all NDA partners all over country just before Lok sabha election that any partnership with BJP will be detrimental to the existence of their own party," Congress's Goa chief spokesman Sunil Kawthankar said.
The political development came, hours after MGP president Dipak Dhavalikar, had threatened to withdraw from Sawant-led government citing conspiracy, news agency PTI reported.
Legislators Manohar Ajgaonkar and Dipak Pawaskar gave a letter to merge the MGP legislature party with the BJP. However, Sudin Dhavalikar, the third Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA, has not signed the letter.
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party is an ally of the BJP in the Pramod Sawant government , with all the three lawmakers supporting him along with legislators from Goa Forward Party and Independents.