Had not Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte been arrested in the dead of night, the opposition solidarity that was seen on display, may not have happened. After three days of a smooth conduct of the Assembly proceedings, again where floor management of the opposition did catch the eye, the fourth day of the session opened with the opposition MLAs on their feet registering their displeasure at the manner in which one of theirs had been awakened in the night and arrested.
They forced four adjournments before the MLAs were escorted out of the House by marshals a little after the Chief Minister had begun the Budget speech. The financial document that includes the plans of the government in the year ahead was read and tabled in the absence of the opposition members. Perhaps a first in the State Assembly’s history. The same happened the next day, with the opposition stalling procedings, resulting in an adjournment. When the House met again after the adjournment, two MLAs were marshalled out of the House, while the others walked out. The House then conducted its business in the absence of the opposition.
While that is one part of the issue, there is the other. One has to question whether the arrest of the MLA could have been less dramatic. A complaint of threat is filed, permission of the Speaker is sought and the police make the arrest at 1.45am. Could the police have not waited for the sun to rise before acting? Khaunte pointed out that he has been a victim of undemocratic action that could be repeated with others, and not just elected members, but even the common man. Of course he was released immediately as this is a bailable offence. What, therefore, is questionable is whether the complaint warranted the immediate and late night action.
Frankly, this has been an incident that has jolted the political class to the reality that their clout or influence will not come to rescue them from any misdeeds or alleged misdeeds. That, perhaps is the reason why the reaction has been so strong. It shocked them to the very core, where they fear what next. Khaunte, in his corner, has the seniormost member of the Assembly, who present at the time of the incident, backs the younger MLA stating that there was no threat made. With a former chief minister as a witnes, Khaunte may go free, but the episode has not ended yet.
Another aspect that became amply clear in this session is that the opposition is actually made up of 10 MLAs – five of the Congress, three of the Goa Forward Party, one of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and one Independent. The government, besides 27 of the Bharatiya Janata Party has two Independents and one of the Nationalist Congress Party on its side. The government has a three-fourths majority in the House and can, therfore, take forward its programme without fear of having it rejected on the floor. This is not new and was known even earlier, but the division in the House has become starkly clear with this episode that has played out. Politics in Goa is not about issues, but all about party lines.
The best thing that has arisen from this is that the opposition is now united. In a House where the government has such a massive majority, the need of a strong opposition cannot be understated. This group of MLAs will have to play a similar role in the two years that remain of the Legislative Assembly’s term. That is important.
