PANJIM: Goa Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Friday posted for arguments two disqualification petitions filed against eight rebel Congress MLAs, who joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September last year.
The Speaker heard pleas filed by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar against the then Leader of the Opposition Michael Lobo and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and another filed by Dominic Noronha against eight rebel Congress MLAs,for joining the BJP in September last year.
The Speaker asked both the petitioners whether they would file any rejoinders to the respondents’ contention and then told the parties that he would post the matter for arguments next month.
Accordingly, arguments on Noronha’s petition will start from October 27, while arguments on Patkar’s petition, has been fixed on November 8.
Earlier, the respondents had challenged that the petitioners cannot file disqualification petitions against them as they were not elected Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and had prayed for its dismissal.
But the Speaker rejected the applications filed by Lobo and Kamat, stating that the Supreme Court had held that any interested person is entitled to bring to the notice of the Speaker that a particular Member has incurred disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of Constitution, by filing a petition.
“The respondents sought time to file a rejoinder to our reply. The respondents have been directed to furnish an advance copy of the rejoinder to us, if any. Matter has been posted for arguments on November 8 at 5.30 pm,” informed Patkar’s lawyer.
