Goemakrponn desk
Panaji: All eyes would be on the Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Rajesh Patnekar as he hears the infamous disqualification petition against 10 former Congress MLAs , at 11am, tomorrow.
The Speaker will also hear the disqualification case against and 2 former-MGP MLAs – Deepak Pauskar and Babu Azgaonkar, both of whom are ministers in Dr Pramod Sawant Cabinet.
The 10 former Congress MLAs are – Dy CM Babu Kavlekar, Revenue Minister Jennifer Monseratte, WRD Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Panaji MLA Babush Monseratte, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, Thivim MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar, Dy Speaker Isidore Fernandes, Nuvem MLA Babashan and Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias.
Interestingly, the Speaker in an affidavit has informed Supreme Court that he will not be able to complete the hearing in one day.
Earlier, Supreme Court has directed the Speaker to give his verdict in the matter by February 26.
The Speaker said in his application before SC that he has to hear all the Respondents in both the Petitions along with the submissions of the Petitioners as well.
“In these circumstances it may not be possible to complete and conclude the proceedings in one day i.e. on 26.02.2021. That since the order dated 10.02.2021 has recorded that the proceedings would be disposed on 26.02.2021, it was deemed necessary and appropriate that above facts be brought to the notice of this Hon’ble Court. Hence the Respondent, making the present application, seeks suitable clarification. Hence the present application for the reliefs as prayed,” The Speaker said in the application.
