Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Legislative Assembly’s proceedings were again interrupted due to purportedly insulting comments directed towards Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. The Opposition demanded that the matter be handled according to proper procedure, but Chief Minister Pramod Sawant insisted on settling the dispute on the House floor.
As the Question Hour got underway, CM asked the Speaker to “resolve” the ongoing matter in which Congress MLA Altone D’Costa was required to issue an apology for his statements. The opposition retaliated against the Treasury Bench, claiming that it was purposefully interfering with House business when it belonged on the Committee.
D’Costa asserted that even though Tawadkar was prepared to face the Committee, he didn’t speak against him.
“Nothing was said against you (Speaker). There was no personal assault during the ST reservation discussion. I believe I haven’t said anything negative about you. However, let the Committee be consulted on the matter. I’ll explain that. “Let the process be carried out,” he insisted.
After a contentious exchange of words, CM Sawant insisted that the issue be settled immediately. It concerns the Speaker, and we must show the Chair some respect. Sawant clarified, “We don’t want to send the matter to the Committee in order to offend him.
Leaders of the opposition urged the government to cease interfering with House business. “The law will follow if I am found guilty. However, I will respond to the Committee if the proper procedure is followed in my case,” D’Costa stated.
GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao also insisted that the Committee address the matter instead of interfering with the House. After that, the Speaker adjourned the House until noon, at which point Alemao raised a point of order regarding PWD works.
Yuri Alemao, the Opposition Leader, contested the motion, stating that the Opposition had the authority to propose a resolution.
How does this violate someone’s privilege? Nothing prevents us from advancing a settlement. Declare the rule for me, Alemao commanded.
Subsequently, Chief Minister Sawant entered the debate, urging D’Costa to retract his statements to the Speaker.
Alemao challenged the government to table the Breach of Privilege Motion against D’Costa and allow it to go before the Privilege Committee of the House. He also said that the ruling party, besides sending a related resolution to New Delhi, had done nothing for the past one year.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant insisted that Altone had spoken against the Speaker. He also maintained that the Centre would table a Bill related to political reservation for the ST community in Goa during the next session of the Parliament.
Salkar observed that the double-engine government of BJP will do the needful as regards political reservation for the ST community.
