Vijay Khot finally resigns as BJP MLA, likely to get Cong ticket
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 10 February 2012 23:45 IST
Yet another BJP MLA Vijay Pai Khot from Canacona resigned today.
He is expected to contest election on Congress ticket.
Canacona has become one of the most controversial four seats that have been kept on hold.
Khot was sidelined by the BJP by allotting ticket to Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar.
Both the constituencies have been amalgamated in a delimitation process since its population has declined drastically due to urbanization.
Khot has not yet disclosed his intention to join the Congress.
However, chief minister Digambar Kamat has been desperately lobbying for his candidature.
On the other hand, education minister Babush Monseratte, speaker Pratapsing Rane and his son health minister Vishwajeet have been lobbying for Isidore Fernandes.
Khot had declined to join the Congress until he gets a firm assurance about the ticket.
It appears that his name has finally been cleared by the high command.
If he gets the Congress ticket, Isidore is expected to contest independent.
A final decision in this regard however would be taken only by tomorrow.
Congress high command observers J S Brar and B K Hariprasad are expected to arrive tomorrow to resolve the issue.
They are expected to finalise controversial seats of Canacona, Fatorda, Mormugao and Sanvordem.
Khot becomes the fourth legislator to resign ahead of election.
Much earlier, two BJP MLAs – Rajesh Patnekar from Bicholim and Dayanand Sopte from Pernem – has quit the party to join the Congress.
Both of them are today Congress candidates.
Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco had also resigned as the NCP MLA.
He has joined and taken over the Goa Vikas Party, to contest from Nuvem, against Congress MLA Alex Sequeira.
