Goa Congress hit by mutiny, 5 MLAs untraceable

Goa Congress is in a crisis. The day began with the party, which has 11 MLAs in the state Assembly, refuting the buzz of a brewing rebellion, amid reports of some MLAs being in touch with the ruling BJP. The Congress gathered its MLAs at a hotel in Margao at a time when speculation was rife that the party would splinter once again with some of its MLAs wanting to move to the treasury benches of the 40-member Goa legislative Assembly. Congress leaders also held a meeting with senior legislator and former chief minister Digambar Kamat at his residence.

AICC Goa in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao held with Congress party MLAs on Sunday. Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed the mutiny and said senior leaders Michael Lobo and Digambar Kamat conspired to engineer a defection. The party responded by removing Lobo as the Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly. Lobo had quit the BJP to join Congress just ahead of the state elections this February. Congress has 11 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly whereas the ruling BJP has 20 - it enjoys the support of five others - two from MGP and three Independents.