After the 2017 mishap, when Congress could not form a government in Goa despite winning 17 seats due to defections of MLAs, the party this time made its MLAs take anti-defection oaths before the Assembly polls. The MLAs were also moved to a plush resort on Tuesday, ahead of counting day. In the last five years, a total of 16 MLAs resigned from the Congress. Here’s a look at where they are now:
Vishwajit Rane, the son of Goa’s former Chief Minister and Congress veteran Pratapsingh Rane, had resigned from the Congress post the 2017 Goa polls to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Mr. Rane was given the health portfolio in the ruling BJP’s Cabinet and is now contesting for the party from the Valpoi constituency, a bastion of the Rane family. Early trends showed Mr. Rane securing a comfortable lead in his constituency.
Also read | Goa election results 2022 live updates