Team Herald
PANJIM: The Opposition MLAs objected to the curtailing the Business of the House as the discussion turned into a heated argument between Minister for Legislative Affairs Mauvin Godinho and Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai.
During the discussion, the United Opposition accused the government of not even having a 10 days business session last year and the situation was not quite different this session. “We had a short session last time. This year also, the number of days has been curtailed. This is going to be the last Budget (before the general Assembly elections in 2022). How do you see it functioning like this? It is very unfair,” Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat said.
The Opposition MLAs alleged that government is afraid to face the Opposition. Sardesai alleged that democracy was being killed, as he also cited a situation in the Bihar Legislative Assembly wherein the Opposition MLAs were dragged out of the House using police force.
Godinho, who began his reply citing relevant Rules, informed the House that it was not the first time that Assembly session has been curtailed. “Why are you scared on a good Budget,” he asked Sardesai. Later, reacting to Sardesai’s discussion, Godinho said, “I don’t want to come to your level.” To this, the GFP leader replied, “What level? We are all equals.”
The verbal spat between the two legislators went a little further after which Godinho alleged that Opposition leaders have been resorting to “drama” to not allow holding the House proceedings smoothly.