Even as there are rumours of a rebellion brewing in the Goa Congress, party leadership refuted reports that some of its MLAs are planning to switch over to the saffron fold.
Goa Congress chief Amit Patkar refuted talk of some of his MLAs planning to join the BJP, saying that such rumours were being spread by the ruling party.
The rumours of rift in the party comes ahead of the two-week long assembly session starting on Monday.
A Hindustan Times report said the BJP is trying to woo as many as eight MLAs of the party.
AICC observer Dinesh Gundu had reached Goa a few days ago, amidst reports that a few Congress MLAs are in talks with the BJP and there is a possibility of a switch-over. He had met 10 of the 11 party MLAs.
Congress MLA Aleixo Sequeira, meanwhile, said a meeting of the party MLAs being held at a hotel in Margao was a "courtesy" one. "Seven MLAs there. I was not called by high command, only here for courtesy meet. Rumours (about MLAs leaving for BJP) are all over, what is to be done. I can vouch for myself, can't say for anyone else."
Even as there are rumours that some Congress MLAs in the 40-member house may cross over to the ruling BJP, Goa assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Sunday cancelled the notification for election to the post of deputy speaker, which was scheduled for July 12.
The order, issued by Legislature Secretary Namrata Ulman, informed the July 8 notification under Rule 308 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly stands withdrawn.
"Hence, the notice of nomination for election of deputy speaker issued under 9(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly stands withdrawn as well," the order further said.
—With PTI inputs
