Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a scathing critique, Vijai Sardesai, the chief of the Goa Forward Party, has condemned the Goa state government for what he describes as a blatant attempt to stifle democratic processes. Sardesai’s criticism comes in the wake of the announcement that the upcoming Goa Assembly session, scheduled to begin on February 6, will be remarkably brief, spanning only two days.
In a tweet, Sardesai vehemently criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, for reducing the Assembly session to just two days, effectively allowing only one day for substantive discussions after the Governor’s address. Sardesai labelled this move as the “butchering of the democratic voice” and accused the government of admitting its guilt by “strangling the voice of the people’s opposition in the Assembly.”
The decision to hold a short Assembly session has significant implications, particularly given the ongoing issues in Goa, he says. The state has been grappling with several contentious matters, including allegations of land grabs and jobs-for-cash scams, which have been subjects of public outcry and opposition criticism. By limiting the Assembly session, the government is seen as attempting to curtail the opportunity for opposition parties to raise these critical issues and hold the government accountable, Sardesai says.
Sardesai’s tweet reflects a broader dissatisfaction among opposition parties and the public regarding the government’s handling of key issues.
Experts and political analysts view this abbreviated Assembly session as a strategic move by the government to avoid scrutiny and debate on sensitive topics. “This move undermines the democratic principles and the right of the opposition to question the government,” said a political analyst, highlighting the importance of robust parliamentary discussions in a democratic setup.
