Team Herald
PANJIM: In a one-sided affair, BJP’s Bicholim legislator Rajesh Tulshidas Patnekar was elected the new Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Patnekar defeated Congress’ Poriem MLA Pratapsing Rane, who is also the seniormost member in the House with a score-line of 22-16.
During the special one-day session called by the Governor Mrudila Sinha for single point agenda of electing a Speaker, BJP’s former ally and minister Sudin Dhavalikar of MGP voted in favour of Opposition.
NCP’s lone legislator Churchill Alemao remained absent for the session.
BJP’s 16 (excluding Dy Speaker Michael Lobo), Goa Forward 3 and independents 3 voted in favour of Patnekar in a 40-member House.
The post of Speaker was lying vacant since Pramod Sawant resigned to take over as chief minister of the State in the wake of the death of former CM Manohar Parrikar earlier this year.
Soon after getting elected Patnekar who was escorted to his chair by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Leader of Opposition Babu Kavlekar remembered the contribution of former chief minister Manohar Parrikar to the Goa Legislative Assembly.
“We are missing him. His contribution to the State cannot be forgotten. His speeches, answers with figures and data was enjoyed by everyone in the House,” he said.
Patnekar’s opponent Pratapsing Rane congratulated him for the victory but also cautioned him on the responsibility he has to shoulder.
“Speaker has to be neutral, I am sure that after having been in the assembly for certain number of years you will be doing the best to take decisions and highlight issues,” Rane said while congratulating Patnekar on being the new Speaker.
He added further saying there will be many legislations and decisions that will be taken.
“You have to guide us to take proper decisions”, he said.
MGP’s Sudin Dhavalikar in his congratulatory message reminded the House that two separate disqualification petitions against ministers Vishwajit Rane, Manohar Azgaonkar and Dipak Pauskar are pending before the Speaker for decision.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Opposition leader Babu Kavlekar and Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho also congratulated the new Speaker.
—
Need time to study disqualification pleas
Newly elected Speaker Rajesh Patnekar said that though he will try to be as neutral as possible, he needs time to study the disqualification petitions.
“As a Speaker of the Assembly, I have to be neutral and I will do that to the best of my ability,” he said addressing a press conference.
He also responded to the issue raised by Sudin Dhavalikar on pending disqualification petitions saying, “I know there are disqualification petitions pending but I need time to study them.”
When pointed out that Dy Speaker Michael Lobo has already completed the hearings and was about to pronounce the order, he replied, “that may be his view but I need time to study and will have to go through everything to give proper justice.”
