“This is precisely where the Opposition must rise to the occasion. Too often, legislative sessions in the past have been consumed by disruptions, slogan shouting, and members rushing into the well of the House. Such scenes may create momentary drama but rarely result in meaningful accountability. When proceedings are repeatedly adjourned, the government escapes sustained questioning and public scrutiny.
For an Opposition with just seven MLAs, every minute of Assembly time is invaluable. Question Hour, Calling Attention motions and debates on government policies provide opportunities to expose gaps in governance. A carefully framed question can compel a minister to reveal facts that might otherwise remain hidden. A well-argued debate can bring public attention to decisions that affect ordinary citizens.”
With barely eight months left for the next Assembly election in Goa, the upcoming session of the Goa Legislative Assembly carries far greater political weight than a routine legislative sitting. For the seven Opposition MLAs, it may be the last meaningful opportunity to convince voters that they can stand up to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
The numbers in the House are heavily tilted in favour of the government. With 33 MLAs backing the ruling benches, the BJP faces little risk of legislative defeat. But an Assembly session is not merely about passing bills or surviving votes. It is about scrutiny, debate and accountability. Even a small Opposition can shape public opinion if it uses the House effectively.
Several contentious issues are already waiting to be raised. Among them, the debate around Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act is likely to take centre stage. The provision, which allows for the alteration of land use in certain circumstances, has triggered widespread concern among citizens, environmental groups and planners who fear it could open the door to arbitrary changes in land zoning. For a state as ecologically fragile as Goa, questions surrounding land use cannot be treated lightly.
Similarly, projects such as the proposed Unity Mall and the tensions surrounding the Mirabag protest reflect deeper anxieties about governance priorities, transparency and public consultation. These issues have already entered public debate outside the Assembly. The legislature is the place where they must now be examined in detail.
This is precisely where the Opposition must rise to the occasion. Too often, legislative sessions in the past have been consumed by disruptions, slogan shouting, and members rushing into the well of the House. Such scenes may create momentary drama but rarely result in meaningful accountability. When proceedings are repeatedly adjourned, the government escapes sustained questioning and public scrutiny.
For an Opposition with just seven MLAs, every minute of Assembly time is invaluable. Question Hour, Calling Attention motions and debates on government policies provide opportunities to expose gaps in governance. A carefully framed question can compel a minister to reveal facts that might otherwise remain hidden. A well-argued debate can bring public attention to decisions that affect ordinary citizens.
The key lies in preparation and discipline. Opposition members must come armed with facts, documents and constituency level evidence. They must raise issues that resonate beyond party politics. Concerns about land conversions, environmental protection, tourism management, infrastructure, employment and the rising cost of living affect people across the state. When these concerns are articulated clearly inside the Assembly, they become part of a wider public conversation.
Importantly, the Opposition must remember that political credibility is built through consistency. Voters are watching closely as the election approaches. They will judge not only the performance of the government but also the seriousness of those who seek to replace it. If the Opposition spends the session merely staging protests and forcing adjournments, the impression that there is no strong alternative to the ruling party will only deepen.
On the other hand, if the seven MLAs demonstrate focus, persistence and clarity, they can punch far above their numerical strength. Governments with large majorities rarely fall because of votes inside the House. They stumble when uncomfortable questions begin to shape public opinion outside it.
For Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the Bharatiya Janata Party, the majority ensures control of the legislative agenda. But control does not eliminate the need for accountability. Serious debate strengthens democratic institutions and reassures citizens that their concerns are being heard.
The coming Assembly session, therefore, is more than a routine legislative exercise. It is a test of how effectively democracy functions in Goa. The Opposition may be small in number, but if it uses the Assembly wisely, it can still challenge the government’s narrative and bring critical issues such as Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act into sharp focus.
With elections approaching, the stage is set. What remains to be seen is whether the Opposition chooses confrontation without substance or debate that truly holds the government to account.
