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AAP is accused of taking kickbacks for granting liquor licences in Delhi, and using those funds for its election campaigns in Goa and Punjab.

ED arrests man who 'managed' AAP funds for Goa polls |  Delhi liquor policy case

AAP is accused of taking kickbacks for granting liquor licences in Delhi, and using those funds for its election campaigns in Goa and Punjab.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Chanpreet Singh, who allegedly "managed" cash funds for AAP's campaign in 2022 Goa Assembly polls, in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case, official sources said Monday.
Singh was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on April 12 and was produced before a special court here the next day, the sources said.
He has been sent to the ED custody till April 18 by the court, they said.
This is the 17th arrest in the case by the ED. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his party colleague and former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia, BRS leader K Kavitha and a number of liquor businessmen and others have been arrested earlier by the federal agency.
Singh was earlier arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation too in the same case. The money laundering case stems from the CBI FIR.
The ED has informed the court through its official documents that Chanpreet Singh "managed" cash payments for the campaign of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the 2022 Goa elections and had a "relationship" with the political outfit that rules Delhi currently.
It has been alleged by the agency that the 'South Group'-- comprising Kavitha, TDP candidate from Ongole Lok Sabha seat Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, businessman Sarath Chandra Reddy and others -- paid Rs 100 crore bribe to the AAP for obtaining a prime position in the Delhi liquor market as part of the now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.
Out of these alleged kickbacks, the ED has claimed, Rs 45 crore was used by the AAP to fund its Goa election campaign.
The ED has claimed that cash payments were made to survey workers, area managers, assembly managers and others in Goa who were engaged in election campaign activities of the AAP and these people told the agency that this was "managed" by a person named Chanpreet Singh.
It also said that an employee of an 'Angadia' firm, which allegedly moved cash funds illegally, had "admitted" to disbursing huge amounts of cash in Goa to some people including Singh, who used to work for Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd.
Chariot Productions was the company engaged by the AAP for its Goa poll campaign. The company's director, Rajesh Joshi, was arrested in the case by the ED last year.
The ED had alleged that Singh collected more than Rs 17 crore (Rs 17,38,14,500 in total) in over 18 instances from the 'Angadia' company employee between August 2021-January 2022, and this was "also corroborated" by CDR (call data records of mobile phone) analysis.
It said Singh "received salary from the Aam Aadmi Party" in February 2022 and also received salary from a company called Wizspk Communications and PR Ltd, which was engaged by the Delhi government.
Moreover, the ED claimed that he had also received funds from OML (Only Much Louder) events management company of arrested AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair, and "these facts are prima facie reflective of his relationship with the Aam Aadmi Party".
In a related development, Kejriwal on Monday did not get any interim relief from the Supreme Court which sought a response from the ED by April 24 on his plea challenging his arrest in the money laundering case.
The excise case pertains to alleged corruption and money laundering in formulating and executing the Delhi government's excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommended a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the liquor policy. Subsequently, the ED registered a case under the PMLA.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/sc-issues-notice-to-ed-on-plea-of-arvind-kejriwal-seeking-bail-1713167563846">SC declines interim relief for Arvind Kejriwal, issues notice to ED</a>

''Disappointed as far as results are concerned. BJP cadre didn't work for me but for Oppn candidate'', that's what BJP leader Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate had to say after a big win from the Panaji constituency in the 2022 Goa Assembly election. 
Monserrate beat the Congress' Elvis Gomes and former chief minister Manohar Parrikar's son, Utpal, who contested as an Independent after being denied Panaji ticket by the BJP.
Monserrate further alleged that the party leadership failed to manage the damage control. 
As per the latest update, BJP candidate Atanasio Monserrate has won the Paanaji seat by a margin of 716 votes. The Goa elections were held in a single phase on February 14.

'BJP supported oppn candidate', Atanasio Monserrate after winning Panaji seat

''BJP cadre didn't work for me but for Oppn candidate'', that's what BJP leader Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate had to say after a big win from the Panaji constituency

Here's the reason why: 

Goa Election 2022: Clashes even after the big win? 

Manohar Parrikar's son, Utpal Parrikar, who contested as an independent candidate lost to BJP candidate&nbsp;Atanasio Monserrate at Panaji seat.

Even as the BJP celebrated its performance in the Goa elections, the BJP victor from the high-profile seat of Panaji expressed anger at his own party. Congress-turned-BJP leader Atanasio Monserrate won Panaji with a margin of around 700 votes, with tough competition from the son of late Manohar Parrikar, a former CM of the coastal state. Utpal Parrikar contested as an independent candidate after the BJP denied him a ticket, and secured 6,071 votes, against Monserrate's 6,787. Congress' Elvis Gomes came third with 3,175 votes. After the declaration of the results, Monserrate claimed that BJP cadre had actually campaigned for the Opposition candidate in Panaji.
Monserrate had joined the BJP after defecting from the Congress with 9 other legislators in 2019.

Panjim, Goa's capital and bastion of late BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar, is witnessing an interesting contest.((Battle for Panjim: Don Vs Dynast))
BJP has fielded Parrikar's long-time rival and former Congressman Babush Moserratte, ignoring the claim of Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar.((BJP fields Parrrkar's longtime rival Babush Monserrate))
It has now become a battle between a Don and a dynast.
Manihar Parrikar represented the Panaji seat for 25 years. After his death in 2019, Monserrate won the prestigious seat on a Congress ticket.((Manohar Parrikar represented Panjim for 25 years))
Then came the big shift. Monserrate switched to the BJP wholesale with his wife and eight other Congress MLAs to bulk up the BJP's ranks.((Babush switched to BJP in 2019, brought in 9 more))
It is this big move that made Monserrate the BJP's blue-eyed boy. And the party has decided to deny Utpal Parrikar the ticket who is now contesting from his father's bastion as an independent.
Babush is a 5-time MLA and has represented Taleigaon, St Cruz and then Panjim.((Babush Monserrate: 5-time MLA, several criminal charges))
((GFX))He has a number of serious criminal charges against him. Most talked about among them are:
2008: Charged with attack on Panjim police station.
2016: Arrested on charges of raping a minor. 16-year-old claimed that she was bought by Monserrate for 50 lakhs and raped.
Both the cases are at the trial stage.((GFX OUT))CHARGES AGAINST BABUSH2008: ATTACK ON PANJIM POLICE STATION2016: ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED RAPE ON MINOR
Moserrate has denied all the charges and has called them politically motivated.
Monserrates wife Jennifer is also contesting on a BJP ticket for Taleigao seat.
Babush Moserrate is a quitessential politicians. Variously described as controversial, strongman and a Don.
Taking him on is the dynast, who claims to be the rightful heir the Parrikar legacy. Utpal's main grouse against the BJP is the ticket to his dad's main rival Babush Monserrate. He had earlier said that he was ready to withdraw from the race if the BJP fielded a "clean candidate", a dart clearly aimed at Monserrate.((What's in a surname: Panjim will decide))
Till Parrikar senior was around, no one knew much of his sons - Utpal and Abhijit.
Manohar Parrikar did not want his son to join politics, a fact Utpal admitted.((Manohar Parrikar didn't want son to join politics))
Utpal appeared on the political scene after his father's dad. After all nothing shines brighter than Parrikar surname in Goa.
First disappointment for the media shy, technocrat came at the first step. BJP fielded former MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar from Panaji in 2019 bypoll, who lost to then Congress loyal Atanasio ‘Babush' Monserrate.((BJP denied Utpal ticket after Parrikar's death in 2019))
March 10 will tell if Utpal Parrikar will walk into the Assembly as an MLA? IF he does, it will be the win of the surname, if he doesn't, it will be curtains on Utpal's short political journey, while Parrikar's legacy will live on.

Goa Election 2022 | Don Vs Dynast in Manohar Parrikar's bastion of Panjim

Goa Election 2022 | Don Vs Dynast in Manohar Parrikar's bastion of Panjim. Can Parrikar's son win on the power of his surname?

Panjim, Goa's capital and bastion of late BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar, is witnessing an interesting contest. ((Battle for Panjim: Don Vs Dynast))
 BJP has fielded Parrikar's long-time rival and former Congressman Babush Moserratte, ignoring the claim of Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar. ((BJP fields Parrrkar's longtime rival Babush Monserrate))
 It has now become a battle between a Don and a dynast.
 Manihar Parrikar represented the Panaji seat for 25 years. After his death in 2019, Monserrate won the prestigious seat on a Congress ticket. ((Manohar Parrikar represented Panjim for 25 years))
 Then came the big shift. Monserrate switched to the BJP wholesale with his wife and eight other Congress MLAs to bulk up the BJP's ranks. ((Babush switched to BJP in 2019, brought in 9 more))
 It is this big move that made Monserrate the BJP's blue-eyed boy. And the party has decided to deny Utpal Parrikar the ticket who is now contesting from his father's bastion as an independent.
 Babush is a 5-time MLA and has represented Taleigaon, St Cruz and then Panjim. ((Babush Monserrate: 5-time MLA, several criminal charges))
 ((GFX)) He has a number of serious criminal charges against him. Most talked about among them are:
 2008: Charged with attack on Panjim police station.
 2016: Arrested on charges of raping a minor. 16-year-old claimed that she was bought by Monserrate for 50 lakhs and raped.
 Both the cases are at the trial stage. ((GFX OUT)) CHARGES AGAINST BABUSH 2008: ATTACK ON PANJIM POLICE STATION 2016: ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED RAPE ON MINOR
 Moserrate has denied all the charges and has called them politically motivated.
 Monserrates wife Jennifer is also contesting on a BJP ticket for Taleigao seat.
 Babush Moserrate is a quitessential politicians. Variously described as controversial, strongman and a Don.
 Taking him on is the dynast, who claims to be the rightful heir the Parrikar legacy. Utpal's main grouse against the BJP is the ticket to his dad's main rival Babush Monserrate. He had earlier said that he was ready to withdraw from the race if the BJP fielded a "clean candidate", a dart clearly aimed at Monserrate. ((What's in a surname: Panjim will decide))
 Till Parrikar senior was around, no one knew much of his sons - Utpal and Abhijit.
 Manohar Parrikar did not want his son to join politics, a fact Utpal admitted. ((Manohar Parrikar didn't want son to join politics))
 Utpal appeared on the political scene after his father's dad. After all nothing shines brighter than Parrikar surname in Goa.
 First disappointment for the media shy, technocrat came at the first step. BJP fielded former MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar from Panaji in 2019 bypoll, who lost to then Congress loyal Atanasio &lsquo;Babush' Monserrate. ((BJP denied Utpal ticket after Parrikar's death in 2019))
 March 10 will tell if Utpal Parrikar will walk into the Assembly as an MLA? IF he does, it will be the win of the surname, if he doesn't, it will be curtains on Utpal's short political journey, while Parrikar's legacy will live on.

Goa Election 2022:&nbsp;Panjim, Goa's capital and bastion of late BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar, is witnessing an interesting contest

Panjim, Goa's capital and bastion of late BJP stalwart Manohar Parrikar, is witnessing an interesting contest.
BJP has fielded Parrikar's long-time rival and former Congressman Babush Monserratte, ignoring the claim of Parrikar's son Utpal Parrikar.
It has now become a battle between a Don and a dynast.
Manohar Parrikar represented the Panaji seat for 25 years. After his death in 2019, Monserrate won the prestigious seat on a Congress ticket.
Then came the big shift. Monserrate switched to the BJP wholesale with his wife and eight other Congress MLAs to bulk up the BJP's ranks.
It is this big move that made Monserrate the BJP's blue-eyed boy. And the party has decided to deny Utpal Parrikar the ticket who is now contesting from his father's bastion as an independent.
Babush is a 5-time MLA and has represented Taleigaon, St Cruz and then Panjim.
He has a number of serious criminal charges against him. Most talked about among them are:
2008: Charged with attack on Panjim police station.
2016: Arrested on charges of raping a minor. A 16-year-old claimed that she was bought by Monserrate for 50 lakhs and raped.
Both the cases are at the trial stage.
Monserrate has denied all the charges and has called them politically motivated.
Monserrate's wife Jennifer is also contesting on a BJP ticket for Taleigao seat.
Babush Moserrate is a quintessential politician. Variously described as controversial, strongman and a Don.
Taking him on is the dynast, who claims to be the rightful heir the Parrikar legacy. Utpal's main grouse against the BJP is the ticket to his dad's main rival Babush Monserrate. He had earlier said that he was ready to withdraw from the race if the BJP fielded a "clean candidate", a dart clearly aimed at Monserrate.
Till Parrikar senior was around, no one knew much of his sons - Utpal and Abhijit.
Manohar Parrikar did not want his son to join politics, a fact Utpal admitted.
Utpal appeared on the political scene after his father's death. After all nothing shines brighter than Parrikar surname in Goa.
First disappointment for the media shy, technocrat came at the first step. BJP fielded former MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar from Panaji in 2019 bypoll, who lost to then Congress loyal Atanasio &lsquo;Babush' Monserrate.
March 10 will tell if Utpal Parrikar will walk into the Assembly as an MLA? IF he does, it will be the win of the surname. If he doesn't, it will be curtains on Utpal's short political journey, while Parrikar's legacy will live on.

Ahead of the next month's Goa Assembly elections, the Congress, which was hit hardest by defections in the BJP-ruled state in the last five years, made its candidates swear before God that they will not switch the party if they get elected.
The Congress on Saturday took all its 34 candidates in a special bus to a temple, a church as well as a dargah in the state and made them take the 'anti-defection' pledge.
The candidates were taken to the Mahalaxmi temple in Panaji, a church at Bambolim and at a dargah in Betim village near the capital city.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who is party’s Goa election observer, accompanied the candidates to these religious places.
Since the last election, the Congress has seen most of its legislators quitting the party. The grand old party, which had emerged as the single largest force by winning 17 seats in the 40-member House after the 2017 Assembly elections, now has only two MLAs in the House.
In 2019, ten Congress legislators had joined the ruling BJP, whose current strength in the Assembly stands at 27.
But the Congress is not the first party in the state to undertake this kind of exercise.
On January 31 last year, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) had taken its all three MLAs and office-bearers to Dev Bodgeshwar temple at Mapusa and made them take a pledge that they will not support the BJP in the 2022 state elections.

Goa Elections 2022 | Hit by defections, Congress makes candidates pledge loyalty before god

Congress sought a little divine intervention on Saturday keep its leaders within the party fold ahead of next month's assembly elections in Goa. 

((Goa&nbsp;Congress Twitter/Facebook&nbsp;has lots of images and videos))
Congress sought a little divine intervention on Saturday to keep its leaders within the party fold ahead of next month's assembly elections in Goa.&nbsp;
Hit hardest by defections in the BJP-ruled state in the last five years, Congress made its candidates swear before God that they will not switch the party if they get elected.
The Congress on Saturday took all its 34 candidates in a special bus to the Mahalaxmi temple in Panaji, a church at Bambolim and at a dargah in Betim village near the capital city&nbsp;and made them take the 'anti-defection' pledge.
Since the last election, the Congress has seen most of its legislators quitting the party. The grand old party, which had emerged as the single largest force by winning 17 seats in the 40-member House after the 2017 Assembly elections, now has only two MLAs.&nbsp;
In 2019, ten Congress legislators had joined the ruling BJP, whose current strength in the Assembly stands at 27.
&nbsp;

The grand old party, which had emerged as the single largest force by winning 17 seats in the 40-member House after the 2017 Assembly elections, now has only two MLAs in the House.

Ahead of the next month's Goa Assembly elections, the Congress, which was hit hardest by defections in the BJP-ruled state in the last five years, made its candidates swear before God that they will not switch the party if they get elected.
The Congress on Saturday took all its 34 candidates in a special bus to a temple, a church as well as a dargah in the state and made them take the 'anti-defection' pledge.
The candidates were taken to the Mahalaxmi temple in Panaji, a church at Bambolim and at a dargah in Betim village near the capital city.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who is party&rsquo;s Goa election observer, accompanied the candidates to these religious places.
Since the last election, the Congress has seen most of its legislators quitting the party. The grand old party, which had emerged as the single largest force by winning 17 seats in the 40-member House after the 2017 Assembly elections, now has only two MLAs in the House.
Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/elections/goa-elections/goa-election-2022-party-hopping-never-stops-in-goa-70-mlas-have-changed-sides-1642534157524">Goa Election 2022: Party (hopping) never stops in Goa, 70% MLAs have changed sides</a>
In 2019, ten Congress legislators had joined the ruling BJP, whose current strength in the Assembly stands at 27.
But the Congress is not the first party in the state to undertake this kind of exercise.
On January 31 last year, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) had taken its all three MLAs and office-bearers to Dev Bodgeshwar temple at Mapusa and made them take a pledge that they will not support the BJP in the 2022 state elections.

Will Manohar Parrikar's son rebel against the BJP in Goa. The party has denied Utpal Parrikar ticket from Panaji, which was his father's constituency for 25 years.
The BJP has fielded former Congressman and Manohar Parrikar's longtime rival, Atanasio "Babush" Monserrate, from Panaji, giving cold shoulder to Parrikar's son. who has been insisting on contesting from Panaji.
The BJP has instead asked him to choose another seat, which Utpal has declined. He has said that he will open his cards soon.
Latching on to the crisis in the BJP parivaar, Aam Aadmi Party has already made an offer to Utpal Parrikar to contest from Panaji on the party ticket.
Accusing the BJP of adopting use-and-throw policy even with the Parrikar family, Arvind Kejriwal tweeted his proposal for Utpal to join AAP.
Manohar Parrikar, a three-time Goa Chief Minister and the BJP's top leader in the seaside state, died in office in 2019. He held the Panaji constituency for 25 years.

Goa Election 2022: BJP denies Panaji ticket to Manohar Parrikar's son, AAP jumps in with its offer

BJP&nbsp;denies to Panaji ticket to Manohar&nbsp;Parrikar's&nbsp;son
Will Utpal&nbsp;Parrikar&nbsp;rebel against BJP&nbsp;over Panaji&nbsp;seat
BJP&nbsp;offers other seats to Utpal&nbsp;Parrikar, he denies
Fight from Panaji&nbsp;on AAP&nbsp;ticket:&nbsp;Kejriwal&nbsp;to Utpal
Manohar&nbsp;Parrikar&nbsp;represented Panaji&nbsp;for 25 years
&nbsp;

<ul>
<li>BJP&nbsp;denies to Panaji ticket to Manohar&nbsp;Parrikar's&nbsp;son</li>
<li>Will Utpal&nbsp;Parrikar&nbsp;rebel against BJP&nbsp;over Panaji&nbsp;seat</li>
<li>Manohar&nbsp;Parrikar&nbsp;represented Panaji&nbsp;for 25 years</li>
</ul>

Will Manohar Parrikar's son rebel against the BJP in Goa. The party has denied Utpal Parrikar ticket from Panaji, which was his father's constituency for 25 years.
The BJP has fielded former Congressman and Manohar Parrikar's longtime rival, Atanasio "Babush" Monserrate, from Panaji, giving cold shoulder to Parrikar's son. who has been insisting on contesting from Panaji.
The BJP has instead asked him to choose another seat, which Utpal has declined. He has said that he will open his cards soon.
Latching on to the crisis in the BJP parivaar, Aam Aadmi Party has already made an offer to Utpal Parrikar to contest from Panaji on the party ticket.
Accusing the BJP of adopting use-and-throw policy even with the Parrikar family, Arvind Kejriwal tweeted his proposal for Utpal to join AAP.
Manohar Parrikar, a three-time Goa Chief Minister and the BJP's top leader in the seaside state, died in office in 2019. He held the Panaji constituency for 25 years.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has announced lawyer and activist as party's chief minister face for upcoming Goa election.
Naming Palekar as CM face is a big political move by Kejriwal as he comes from the Bhandari community that comprises over 35% of Goa voters.
Rejecting the rivals' charge of playing caste politics, Kejriwal said that in 60 years, there has been only one CM for two-and-a-half years from the Bhandari community and there has been a feeling of injustice in the community. .
A Lawyer by profession, Palekar is a well-known activist, who has spearheaded several protests in Goa.
Palekar was recently in news when he led a citizens' protest against the construction of an alleged illegal bungalow in the Goa Heritage premises. He also sat on a fast against the project after which the state acted against the project.
Kejriwal had also visited the protest site while Palekar was on his fast.
The Delhi CM had also recently joined Palekar during his door-to-door campaign in Goa.

Goa Election 2022: Meet Amit Palekar who has been declared CM face by Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal&nbsp;declares Amit&nbsp;Palekar as Goa CM face
Palekar&nbsp;comes from Bhandari&nbsp;community, which has 35% votes
Kejriwal: Feeling of injustice in Bhandari&nbsp;community
A well-known lawyer and activists, led several protests
Recently sat of fast against alleged illegal bungalow in Goa&nbsp;Heritage premises
&nbsp;

Goa&nbsp;Election 2022:&nbsp;Naming Amit&nbsp;Palekar as CM face is a big political move by AAP as he comes from the Bhandari community that comprises over 35% of Goa voters

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal has announced lawyer and activist as party's chief minister face for upcoming Goa election.
Naming Palekar as CM face is a big political move by Kejriwal as he comes from the Bhandari community that comprises over 35% of Goa voters.
Rejecting the rivals' charge of playing caste politics, Kejriwal said that in 60 years, there has been only one CM for two-and-a-half years from the Bhandari community and there has been a feeling of injustice in the community.&nbsp;
Also Watch|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/elections/goa-elections/goa-election-2022-party-hopping-never-stops-in-goa-70-mlas-have-changed-sides-1642534157524" target="_blank">Goa Election 2022: Party (hopping) never stops in Goa, 70% MLAs have changed sides</a>
A Lawyer by profession, Palekar is a well-known activist, who has spearheaded several protests in Goa.
Palekar was recently in news when he led a citizens' protest against the construction of an alleged illegal bungalow in the Goa Heritage premises. He also sat on a fast against the project after which the state acted against the project.
Kejriwal had also visited the protest site while Palekar was on his fast.
The Delhi CM had also recently joined Palekar during his door-to-door campaign in Goa.

Goa Election 2022: Party never stops in Goa. And when it comes to politics, party-hopping never stops in Goa. 

Goa Election 2022: Party (hopping) never stops in Goa, 70% MLAs have changed sides

Nearly 70% of Goa MLAs have changed their loyalties in last five years. Just like its parties, party hopping never stops in Goa

<div>Goa Election 2022: 70% of MLAs&nbsp;have changed their political loyalties&nbsp;in last 5 years&nbsp;and the party hopping continues</div>

Party never stops in Goa. And when it comes to politics, party-hopping never stops in Goa. India's smallest state with just 40-member Assembly has seen at least 27 of its 40 MLAs switch parties in last five years. That's almost 70% of MLAs changing loyalties in one term.
According to Association for Democratic Reforms, this is a &ldquo;unique and unparalleled record&rdquo; in India&rsquo;s democratic setup.
The Congress has been the biggest loser in the ever-buzzing party hopping season in Goa.
16 of the party's 17 MLAs have switched to the other parties, a bulk of them to the BJP, which hoodwinked the Congress into forming the govt in 2017, even though Congress was the single-largest party.
First blow came right after 2017 elections. Congress strongman Vishwajit Rane lef the House midway during the BJP govt's floor test and indirectly helped then CM Manohar Parrikar win the vote.
Vishwajit Rane soon joined the BJP, sought re-election and was inducted in the Cabinet.
Within a year, two other Congress leaders - Dayanand Sopte and Subhash Shirodkar - resigned from the party and joined the BJP.
After Manohar Parrikar's demise in 2019, Pramod Sawant took charge as the Chief Minister of Goa.
BJP's ally Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party witnessed a split with two out of its three MLAs forming a separate group. Manohar Ajgaonkar and Deepak Pauskar of the MGP eventually joined the BJP.
The MGP accused the BJP of engineering the split.
The biggest jolt to the Congress came in 2019 when 10 of its MLAs switched to the BJP. In the Panjim bypoll after Manohar Parrikar&rsquo;s death, Congress leader Atanasio Monserrate won. But soon, Monserrate, along with his wife and eight other Congress MLAs, switched to the BJP. The Congress appeal against this mass scale defection is still pending In the court.
The momentum for party-switching has gone on ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls.
Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte and Goa Forward Party's Jayesh Salgaonkar, both believed to be close associates of GFP&rsquo;s Vijai Sardesai, joined the BJP.
Senior Congress leader Ravi Naik also shifted from Congress to the BJP. Meanwhile, independent MLA and minister Govind Gaude joined the BJP too.
It became a running joke in Goa that the BJP govt had more Congress MLAs than its own and more Catholic MLAs than Hindu legislators.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The entry of Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s TMC also triggered a few switchovers. Former Goa Chief Minister and ex-Congress leader Luizionho Faleiro joined the TMC. Another Congress MLA,&nbsp;Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who had joined the TMC just a month ago, has already had another change of heart and has quit the Trinamool.
IN DEBUT POLL, TMC GOES SHOPPING IN GOA&nbsp;
Nationalist Congress Party&rsquo;s sole MLA in Goa, Churchill Alemao, also shifted to the TMC.
It's not that the BJP has only gained from party-hopping. Its MLAs including Alina Saldanha and Michael Lobo have quit the ruling party. While Sladanha joined Aam Aadmi Party, Lobo went to the Congress. Senior MLA Pravin Zantye left the BJP for MGP.

When the 2017 Assembly elections were held in Goa, the Congress had put up a good show by emerging as the single largest party with 17 seats in the 40-member House. But it failed to form government and could also not keep its flock together. Its strength is now reduced to just two.
However, the party is still trying to put up a strong face ahead of the Assembly polls due early next year, saying it is not deterred by the desertions.
On Monday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee's working president Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco became the latest MLA to quit the party over the last five years.
Notably, his name had figured in the first list of eight candidates announced by the Congress last week for the forthcoming state polls.
The biggest jolt to the Congress came in 2019 when a group of its 10 MLAs, led by then leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, left the party together and joined the ruling BJP.
This year, as the next Assembly election draws closer, more MLAs quit the Congress one after the other.
Following the 2017 Assembly polls, Vishwajit Rane, Goa's current health minister, was the first to resign from the Congress as well as from the Assembly soon after taking oath as an MLA.
After him, two other MLAs – Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte – also resigned from the party.
All the three were later re-elected in by-elections on the BJP's ticket.
Recently, Luizinho Faleiro and Ravi Naik, both former chief ministers, also left the Congress. Faleiro joined the TMC and Naik went to BJP
The party is now left with only Pratapsingh Rane and Digambar Kamat, both of whom are also former CMs.
On Tuesday, the Aam Aadmi Party's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at the Goa Congress, saying, "Fifteen are sold, only two are remaining.”
However, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has remained unfazed and expressed confidence that he will lead the Congress to a thumping victory in the 2022 state polls and that his party will form government.

Go Goa Gone: From 17 MLAs to 2 - Congress' desertion blues

Goa&nbsp;Election 2022: From 17 MLAs&nbsp;to 2 - Congress' desertion blues
Go Goa&nbsp;Gone: The steady&nbsp;Exodus from the Congress
Congress was the single largest party in 2017 with 17 MLAs
Goa Congress working president Lourenco&nbsp;latest MLA to quit
Congress MLAs&nbsp;jump ship to BJP and new entrant Trinamool
Only Pratapsingh Rane and Digambar Kamat&nbsp;left in Cong benches
Kejriwal&nbsp;dig at Goa&nbsp;Cong: "Fifteen are sold, only two are remaining&rdquo;

Goa Election 2022:&nbsp;Goa Pradesh Congress Committee's working president Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco is the latest MLA to quit the party over the last five years

When the 2017 Assembly elections were held in Goa, the Congress had put up a good show by emerging as the single largest party with 17 seats in the 40-member House. But it failed to form the government and could also not keep its flock together. Its strength is now reduced to just two.
However, the party is still trying to put up a strong face ahead of the Assembly polls due early next year, saying it is not deterred by the desertions.
Also watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/elections/mamata-banerjee-s-goa-poll-pitch-tmc-temple-mosque-church-1639454267746" target="_blank">Mamata Banerjee's Goa poll pitch: TMC = Temple, Mosque, Church</a>
On Monday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee's working president Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco became the latest MLA to quit the party over the last five years.
Notably, his name had figured in the first list of eight candidates announced by the Congress last week for the forthcoming state polls.
The biggest jolt to the Congress came in 2019 when a group of its 10 MLAs, led by the leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, left the party together and joined the ruling BJP.
This year, as the next Assembly election draws closer, more MLAs quit Congress one after the other.
Following the 2017 Assembly polls, Vishwajit Rane, Goa's current health minister, was the first to resign from Congress as well as from the Assembly soon after taking oath as an MLA.
After him, two other MLAs &ndash; Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte &ndash; also resigned from the party.
All the three were later re-elected in by-elections on the BJP's ticket.
Recently, Luizinho Faleiro and Ravi Naik, both former chief ministers, also left the Congress. Faleiro joined the TMC and Naik went to BJP
The party is now left with only Pratapsingh Rane and Digambar Kamat, both of whom are also former CMs.
On Tuesday, the Aam Aadmi Party's national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took a dig at the Goa Congress, saying, "Fifteen are sold, only two are remaining.&rdquo;
However, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has remained unfazed and expressed confidence that he will lead the Congress to a thumping victory in the 2022 state polls and that his party will form the government.

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