On March 17, at the State Legislative Assembly’s Business Advisory Committee meeting the opposition had reasoned that the Budget session of the Assembly should be curtailed to three days as it would coincide with the election process to five municipal councils that have to be completed by April 30. The opposition’s urging was that the government place on table of the House the annual financial statement for the year 2021-2022 and seek a vote on account for a short period.
The opposition memorandum had added that during the election process, and especially when the code of conduct is in force, the government should not be permitted to make any announcements, declare any new schemes and give any assurances for public benefit during the session, which could directly or indirectly influence the mind of the people and impact the elections. The Chief Minister had then dismissed this suggestion stating that just because the opposition MLAs want something, it can’t be done, and that protocols have to be followed when it comes to the Assembly sessions. The Budget was tabled and the session was in progress until the situation changed.
The government, four days into the session hastily decided to seek a vote on account for four months and hold the Assembly session in July-August, the period when it traditionally holds the monsoon session. The reason for the postponement being due to what the opposition had suggested – the election code of conduct – the opposition can and has been claiming their stand has been vindicated. The Assembly session now stands adjourned till July 19, with the House having passed a vote on account for further two months.
That the adjournment of the session came just hours after the State Election Commission announced the dates for the five municipal council elections boosts the opposition parties’ confidence and substantiates to a certain extent their claim that their recommendations have been accepted. However, had the COVID-19 pandemic situation not taken a turn for the worse, would the Assembly session have continued, as had been originally planned by the government? That’s a position that the opposition that is claiming that their recommendations have been accepted should also consider, as Leader of the Opposition did admit that the COVID situation did play a role in the decision to curtail the session.
However, in light of the dates for the municipal council elections having been declared, the poll process beginning from March 31 and the model code of conduct being in place, the decision to adjourn the Assembly is the right one. Recall that the Supreme Court did direct the State Election Commission to conduct elections in a free and fair manner and the government would surely not desire a further embarrassment after the one it has already suffered due to the fiasco in the ward reservations.
With an Assembly session in progress, there existed every possibility that announcements by the government in the course of the session and during the debate could influence the voters. The opposition was hence justified in demanding the deferment of the session. The playing field has now been levelled in all respects. The people who went to court over the reservations have got justice and the opposition has got what they wanted – deferment of the Assembly session. Following the just concluded elections to seven civic areas, including Panjim, that were swept by the BJP with the exception of one council, the ensuing polls make for an interesting campaign and even more interesting results.
