MLAs who joined BJP have dug their own graves: Goa Cong leader

Goa Mahila Congress chief Pratima Coutinho Friday said the Congress MLAs who switched over to the ruling BJP had "dug their own graves". Ten Congress legislators in the coastal state, led by leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, joined the BJP Wednesday night, leaving the opposition party with just five MLAs in the 40-member Assembly.

"People are watching you (breakaway MLAs). You have dug your own graves. We (Congress) are here to stay. As an opposition we are not going to shy away. We have stood tall even in the past," Coutinho said. She alleged that the 10 MLAs had broken away for personal ambitions and not for the sake of development of the state.

"If they have left for the sake of development, it means they are admitting that BJP was acting partial and not letting Congress MLAs to do their job," she said. "I challenge them to contest the election on BJP tickets and win in their constituencies," she said..