Goa Election: Congress candidates vowed in Rahul Gandhi's presence not to defect after elections
Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi today campaigned for his party in Goa, where the party's candidates also took a pledge of loyalty in his presence.
Congress candidates vowed not to defect after the election, something that has hurt the party in the past.
"We have taken a promise in front of temple, mosque and church. Today, we are taking an oath in front of Rahul-ji, our boss," Congress candidate Sankalp Amonkar said.
In 2017, the Congress won 17 of 40 seats in Goa but the BJP, after winning 13 seats, took power with help from smaller parties and independents. Two years later, 15 Congress MLAs switched to the BJP, led by the Congress's leader of opposition, Babu Kavlekar, who was made Deputy Chief Minister by the BJP.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had earlier made candidates sign anti-defection affidavits.
Rahul Gandhi also interacted with representatives of the Tourism Sector, Anganwadi staff and others. According to party leaders, the Congress MP took out a door-to-door campaign at Sada, Mormugao before his meeting with candidates.
Goa will vote on February 14. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.