MAPUSA
While development of the constituency was the common refrain among most of the MLAs to justify their crossing over to the BJP, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo went one step ahead to rationalise that she did not break any oath as she was not responsible to bring BJP to power.
Lobo also said that works of the people and the constituency can be expedited by being in the ruling side rather than being in the opposition.
“We had taken an oath not to split from Congress and bring BJP to power. We have not done that. BJP is already in the ruling. If we break away and join the BJP to do development then I don’t think we have done anything wrong,” Lobo said, while speaking to a group of journalists at her Parra residence.
Before the March 2022 assembly elections, all the Congress candidates took a loyalty pledge at the Mahalaxmi temple, Bambolim Cross and Hamza Shah Darga that they would remain faithful to the people and the party after the assembly election.
The move was initiated after 10 of the 17 MLAs who won the 2017 assembly election on Congress ticket had quit the party mid-way and defected to the BJP.
The Siolim MLA further said her prime reason to quit Congress and join the BJP was to carry out development work in her constituency.
“In opposition we can do development but not as much as one can do while being in the ruling party. I have joined BJP only for development. I will ensure all the works are done in my constituency,” she said.
She also said her husband Michael Lobo could do a lot of development in Calangute constituency only because he was in the government and a minister.
“I was elected by the people of Siolim only because of my husband and his style of getting work done. There are high expectations from my people and that is why I joined the BJP,” she said.
