Goa cong set to sack 2 MLAs for trying to split party

The Congress on Monday said it will disqualify two of its MLAs -- Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo -- for trying to engineer a split in the party in a bid to join the BJP. However, party leaders admit that although the split may have been averted for now, it could happen any time later.

"The split was averted because Kamat and Lobo could not get the 8 MLAs required for a two-third majority to avoid disqualification as we had 5 MLAs with us. We have moved for both Kamat and Lobo to be disqualified. However, there may be another rebellion before the Speaker's decision as there are a lot of MLAs who have business and other interests and they believe they would be better served if they ally with a party in power," said a Goa Congress leader.

Kamat and Lobo along with three other MLAs had avoided a party meeting called by Congress leader in charge of Goa, Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Sunday. By Monday morning, the Kamat and Lobo camp realised that the rebellion would not be successful and quietly attended the Assembly session claiming that they never left the party or intended to leave it. "If I wanted to leave the party I would have. No one can stop me. I have, however, led the party from the front. They removed me suddenly as leader of opposition after the assembly elections. My party workers feel that I was humiliated. I'm still in the Congress," Kamat said. Lobo also claimed he is still in the Congress and there was not any rebellion to begin with.