MAPUSA
The outspoken Calangute MLA and Minister Michael Lobo is expected to quit from his posts and the BJP and along with his sarpanch wife, Delilah Lobo, both are likely to join Congress within the next two days.
For the last couple of months, Lobo has been critiquing his own government, indicating that he was drifting away from the BJP.
Going against his party’s wishes, last month, he announced that his wife Delilah Lobo will contest from Siolim and even inaugurated her campaign office and personally started campaigning with her in the constituency.
Sources informed that the Calangute MLA was waiting for the BJP to expel him from the party to make things easier for him.
But since that did not happen, his plans of joining Congress got delayed.
The first signs that Lobo was likely to join Congress appeared after Reis Magos Sarpanch Kedar Naik joined Congress two days ago.
Naik is considered to be very close to the Calangute MLA.
Last week, Lobo held a meeting with his close supporters seeking their views on his political future.
“He did not tell us which party he was joining. But it appeared that he was not happy with the BJP and was on his way out. We told him to take whatever decision he was comfortable with,” a close supporter informed.
Apart from Calangute, the outspoken and resourceful MLA commands influence in other parts of Bardez and his presence could make a difference for any party.
Congress higher ups are aware of the advantage Lobo could bring to the party not only in Bardez but also in other parts of the State.
Several close associates of the MLA confirmed that the Calangute MLA was expected to join Congress “soon”.
Lobo refused to take calls and reply to messages sent across to him on Saturday evening.
However, his close aide and Congress candidate for Mapusa Sudhir Kandolkar confirmed that Lobo was indeed all set to join Congress.
“Michael is expected to resign on Sunday (Jan 9) and then along with wife join the Congress on Monday (Jan 10),” Kandolkar said.
