Panaji: Following the resignation of a BJP
legislator in Goa assembly last week to join the Congress, BJP
on Sunday said that there are several Congressmen, who are in
touch with them, willing to join the party.
Last week, BJP`s Bicholim legislator Rajesh Patnekar left
the party and to join the Congress next week. Media reports
had claimed that after his exit, two more BJP legislators are
likely to quit the party.
However, BJP Goa Unit President Laxmikant Parsekar
claimed that there are many Congressmen, who are in touch with
the BJP. He however refused to divulge their names.
"The situation in Congress is worse than what it is
projected about BJP," Parsekar said responding to media
reports that some more BJP legislators are willing to join the
Congress.
Parsekar said that many Congressmen are in constant touch
with the BJP, but the decision on whether to accept them is
yet to be taken.
The BJP leader said that the party is open to form an
alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), a regional
party, which is currently in coalition with the Congress-led
government.
"We are open for talks of pre-poll alliance. But MGP
leaders have to come with a clean slate," he said adding that
the decision to join hands with MGP for the forthcoming
elections, rests with the BJP high command.
With 14 legislators in the 40-seat legislative assembly,
BJP is the largest opposition in the state.
Media reports had said that the party has been facing
challenge to resist the poaching of its members by Congress.
Parsekar, however, rubbished these reports. But he also said
that it is not for him to stop anyone from leaving the party.
PTI
