Goa: With 2 MLAs on way out, Congress thanks BJP for taking away "garbage"

PANAJI: Seeking to downplay the imminent crossing over of two of its MLAs to BJP ahead of next year's Assembly polls, the Congress today said the ruling party was in a way helping it "cleanse" the party.

"I am very thankful that BJP is helping us to clean our party by taking away our garbage into their fold. I am very happy that BJP has helped us to clean the party," state unit Congress president Luizinho Faleiro told reporters here.

He was reacting to resignation given by Mauvin Godinho as the legislator as well as party member recently. Another Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar had announced his intention to join the saffron party on December 22.

While Godinho represents Dabolim seat, Madkaikar is the sitting MLA from Cumbharjua constituency.

"What I feel bad is that it took five years for the BJP to appreciate the good qualities of these (two) leaders and take them into their fold," Faleiro taunted.

He said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during his tenure as Goa Chief Minister was "shouting from roof top that Congress leaders are corrupt."

In an apparent reference to a case filed by Parrikar against Godinho almost ten year back accusing him of involvement in a power scam, Faleiro said, "these are the same BJP leaders who went to High Court and Supreme Court against those corrupt congress leaders.

"Those Congress leaders who are scared of BJP are free to leave the party as by doing this they will make space for new faces in the party."