PANAJI, JULY 5: Two MLAs of the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) -- former industries minister Suresh Parulekar and Jose Philip D'Souza -- joined the ruling Congress party late Sunday night. With the induction of the two UGDP MLAs, the strength of the Congress has risen to 23 in the house of 40.Parulekar and D'Souza were elected from Calangute and Vasco Da Gama, respectively in the recent Assembly election and have pledged their support to the Congress.
Chief Minister and president of the Pradesh Congress Committee Luizinho Faleiro and Churchill Alemao, Industries Minister in the Faleiro government and the founder of the UGDP before his re-entry in to the Congress fold, were present when the two MLAs joined the Congress.
According to Parulekar, following the split in the UGDP, he and D'Souza did not invite the provisions of the anti-defection law.
Meanwhile, Ramakant Khalap, leader of the Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), recently elected from Mandrem is also toying with the idea of joiningthe Congress.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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