BJP MLA in Goa resigns, set to join Congress

BJP MLA Rajesh Patnekar on Monday resigned as a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly and is set to join the Congress.

Mr. Patnekar, a two-time legislator from Bicholim constituency, submitted his resignation to Speaker Pratapsingh Rane.

His exit was not unexpected owing to his proximity to Congress minister Vishwajit Rane.

After tendering his resignation, Mr. Patnekar told reporters that his decision to join the Congress has been taken thoughtfully and he is confident of getting a Congress ticket for the forthcoming Assembly polls.

“Congress Goa desk in-charge Jagmeet Brar, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Pradesh Congress committee chief Subhash Shirodkar and Minister Vishwajit Rane have assured me a ticket. My ticket is confirmed,” Mr. Patnekar said, adding he would join the Congress within the next eight days.

Mr. Patnekar said that he “had to quit for the development of the constituency and to solve the large-scale unemployment problem there.”

He claimed the constituency was neglected by the ruling coalition, since the time BJP lost power in the State.

“I have been struggling a lot for development of the area, but could not do it,” Mr. Patnekar said.

Mr. Patnekar’s resignation has brought down BJP’s strength to 13 in the 40-seat Goa Legislative Assembly.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar said Mr. Patnekar’s resignation was expected.

Mr. Parrikar said, “He has been hobnobbing with the Congress for quiet some time now. It was expected that he would join Congress.”