PANAJI
As expected former independent MLA of Porvorim Rohan Khaunte formally joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday in the presence of its Goa election in-charge and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, party's State president, Sadanand Tanavade and other leaders.
A vociferous critic of the government until a few days ago, Khaunte's induction saw several BJP leaders including Fadnavis and Sawant describing his past as 'constructive opposition' and one who always raised issues for people's welfare inside and outside the House.
Fadanavis described Khaunte as the "only efficient leader" in the Opposition adding that with his induction all the "efficiency” has come to the BJP side.
“We had our efficient leaders. Khaunte was the only leader in Opposition who was efficient. With his induction, we have all the efficiency by our side,” Fadnavis said.
Earlier, Khaunte and his brother Rajesh, visited the Mahalaxmi temple to seek blessings of the deity and later walked to the nearby BJP office for the formal induction programme.
During the induction, Khaunte said he took the decision to join BJP after consulting workers, Zilla panchayat members, core groups and well-wishers, who gave him the go ahead.
The ex-Porvorim MLA said he had differences with the chief minister but they were towards creating positive changes in Goa.
“The political and ideological differences make democracy vibrant,” Khaunte said.
Khaunte later left for Delhi along with Fadanavis where he met senior BJP leaders including BJP National President J P Nadda in the evening.
