Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Goa Forward Party (GFP) President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, during a Janta Darbar held in Canacona, lashed out at what he termed as the increasing marginalization of the Opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Sardesai accused the Speaker,who is also the MLA of Canacona, of yielding to government pressure and suppressing the voices of elected opposition members.
Addressing the press after the outreach event, Sardesai said, “I read an article where the MLA of Canacona, who also serves as Speaker, said he is satisfied with his role. While he started fairly, he has now buckled under pressure from the ruling government. In the last Assembly session, I was not allowed to speak during the Appropriation Bill debate—this is a violation of the Opposition’s right.”
He hinted at seeking legal redress, stating, “I’m seriously considering moving the High Court on the silencing of the Opposition in the Assembly. There used to be a balanced practice during Question Hour where questions alternated between the ruling and opposition MLAs. That has been quietly scrapped, leaving ruling MLAs with disproportionate time. If Opposition members aren’t allowed to raise questions, how will Goans’ problems be addressed?”
Sardesai also took aim at governance failures in Canacona, saying that several pressing local issues remain unresolved despite repeated demands by residents. “There’s a dam here, but no water. Solid waste management is poor, and even foreigners are raising alarms about the danger of microplastics. Forest rights claims remain unaddressed. The Sahara accident compensation scheme has been scrapped, leaving victims of road accidents with no support.”
He further added that residents voiced concerns about the poor condition of roads, the lack of a functional fire station, failure to process ODF (Open Defecation Free) applications in time, and delays in routine administrative clearances.
“In Canacona, the issues are real and many,” he said. “The people have spoken. We will take these concerns to the Assembly, and I hope the Speaker will support me in doing so. If these issues are not allowed to be raised, how will we ever know whether the government intends to solve them?”
