Team Herald
PANJIM: While the forthcoming Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly likely to see a divided House on the issue of installing a statue of Dr Jack de Sequeira within the Assembly complex, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been placed in a tight spot with Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo moving a private member’s resolution in favour of the statue.
All eyes are now on Speaker Pramod Sawant, to see whether he will subtly toe the party line by not entertaining Lobo’s resolution, or allow it, plunging the party into a crisis on the floor of the House. Things have turned a shade more complicated as Lobo has left for Brazil on a private trip leaving everyone guessing as to the next move. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who heads the party’s legislative wing, is yet to express himself over the statue controversy fuelled by his own MLA.
Legislative Assembly Secretary Nilkanth Subhedar confirmed receiving two private members resolution seeking to erect a statue of Sequeira in the Assembly complex. “We have so far received two resolutions (from Lobo and NCP’s Churchill Alemao). It is for the Speaker to decide as per the rules whether or not to accept it, or join the resolutions into one,” he told Herald when contacted. A decision is likely to be taken this week.
Lobo, last Thursday, sent the resolution to the Assembly Secretary for it to be placed during the forthcoming session slated to begin from February 19. While BJP is yet to seek an explanation from him considering that he has moved against the party’s resolution, Lobo flew to Brazil on Tuesday. Speaking to Herald, Lobo said, “It is a private trip with my friends and pre-planned.” The deputy Speaker reiterated that he stands by his resolution.
BJP leaders Herald spoke to preferred to skirt the controversy preferring to adopt a ‘wait and watch’ policy. “Lobo is our party man. We have not held any meeting (to decide action against him) after he moved the private members resolution. Let the Speaker decide,” said a senior office bearer requesting anonymity.
Another party leader said, “BJP might hold a meeting of its MLAs before the commencement of the Assembly session. The higher ups will definitely seek an explanation on why he has moved against the party resolution. Let us wait and watch.” However, Speaker Sawant was not available for comments.
