Goa BJP's infighting will trigger volcanic eruption: Congress leader

A rift within the Goa BJP following the induction of an allegedly tainted Congress leader has triggered turmoil in the ruling party that could result in a "volcanic eruption", state Congress President Luizinho Faleiro said on Tuesday.

"Their (BJP) people are coming to us. Their people are unhappy. There is a turmoil and it will come out like a volcanic eruption," Faleiro told the media here.

Faleiro also took a dig at the BJP, saying: "They are taking in the same people who until yesterday were being called corrupt by the BJP leaders. If they want more of our (MLAs) they can...."

On Monday, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik said former Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar's induction into the Bharatiya Janata Party last week was a "wrong decision" and against the BJP's principles.

He also objected to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's comments that he (Naik) was consulted on induction of Madkaikar -- who represented Cumbharjua seat, where Naik resides.

"I did not go to the press because of party discipline... Consultation means asking for an opinion before a decision is made. This decision was already made by him (Parrikar) before I was told about it," Naik had said.

Both Naik and Parrikar, a former Goa Chief Minister, are two of the most senior BJP leaders in the state.

During a discussion in the assembly three years ago, Parrikar accused Madkaikar of involvement in a land scam and initiated a Crime Branch probe.

Madkaikar is the second Congress legislator after Mauvin Godinho to join the BJP. Godinho also faces graft charges in a power subsidy scam.

--IANS

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