PANJIM: Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Tuesday said that the failing confidence of the electorate towards institutions and public representatives is a matter of concern.

Speaking at a function organised by the Goa Legislators Forum to celebrate the 60th Legislators’ Day at the State Assembly Complex, Porvorim, Narwekar said, “The failing confidence of the electorate towards institutions and public representatives is certainly a matter of concern. I am reminded of the words of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill that the best argument against democracy is a five minutes conversation with the average voter. If an institution in a country which has evolved 800 years ago could have this thought then you can imagine what could be the condition if such a thought was to prevail in the largest democracy in the world. Therefore to ensure that our citizens do not think in a similar fashion we are duty-bound to lead with example and lead by example.”

Narwekar said though parliamentary democracy may have shortfalls but it is certainly the best amongst the rest of the government systems.

“To ensure that people trust the parliamentary democracy, we, the members of Legislative Assembly, Council and Parliament, have to work to further the confidence of the people of the country in the system of parliamentary democracy.”

He said, “It is our duty to ensure that the legislature’s sovereignty is maintained. I am disappointed to see that whenever there is an issue pertaining to a dispute on a point of issue within the legislative forum, somehow we express or render ourselves to the judiciary to resolve it. I think as a legislator we should consider our forum to be powerful enough to resolve issues which prevail in legislature.”

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reiterated the government’s commitment to deal with the issue of Mhadei river diversion at the Centre and Supreme Court strongly. In no case, the government will compromise on interest of the State and its people, he said.

Reacting towards concerns raised regarding Mhadei river during the programme, Sawant said that the government is very much serious on the Mhadei issue wherein it will never let Karnataka win the battle for Mhadei since it is the lifeline of Goa. The government is taking up the issue with Central Government continuously and fighting the case in the Supreme Court in an efficient manner.

“Maharashtra and Goa have ethnic bond with each other. The cultural ties shared by both the States are blended with sweetness of Marathi and Konkani language and its richness has to be preserved further,” Narwekar said adding that Goa will get adequate co-operation from Maharashtra on water issues.

Earlier, Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar welcomed the gathering, while Legislative Affairs Minister Aleixo Sequeira and Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza also spoke.

On the occasion, former MLAs Shambhu Bhau Bandekar, Ashok Naik Salgaonkar, Prakash Velip, Manu Fernandes and Sangeeta Parab were felicitated for being members of last Assembly during the period of Union Territory.

An open forum was conducted wherein former MLAs raised their concerns on Mhadei river and other social issues and the Goa State AIDS Control Society gave a presentation on HIV/AIDS.

Authorities empowered under anti-defection laws prefer to sit pretty cool: Yuri

PANJIM: Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao on Tuesday alleged that authorities empowered under the anti-defection laws to decide on the defection of MLAs prefer to sit pretty cool.

Speaking on the occasion of Goa Legislators Day at Porvorim, Alemao said, “Political defections are shaking the confidence in Parliamentary democracy. It may give initial gains to urge an MLA to be in power but long term losses could be dangerous. The authorities empowered under the anti-defection laws to decide on the defection of MLAs prefer to sit pretty cool.”

“I am referring to the Speaker who is custodian of the House who has miserably failed in the duties to cast upon them to decide on the disqualification petitions. There is hardly any burden of litigation on the Speaker. It is definitely not a matter of pride for any constitutional authority and the custodian of any apex institution to play with this disqualification petitions at leisure and pleasure,” he said.

Alemao said there is a concern over the issue of defections not only in the political opposition but also in the minds of the people. He raised three critical issues such as Mhadei row, casino menace and freedom of expression facing tiny but unique State wherein our positive and effective intervention is required keeping party politics aside.