Joshua trumps Delilah, elected Deputy Speaker of the House

PORVORIM: Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza was on Friday elected the Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. 

D’Souza polled 24 votes against Congress MLA Delilah Lobo, who was supported by 12 opposition legislators including 11 from Congress and one GFP. 

Two MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the lone MLA of the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) abstained from voting. Ramesh Tawadkar being the Speaker of the House did not vote. 

While Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar proposed the name of D’Souza and was seconded by Vasco MLA Krishna Daji Salkar, Lobo’s candidature was moved by Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira and seconded by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai. D’Souza, 33, represents the Mapusa Assembly Constituency. He was first elected MLA in 2019, following the death of his father, former deputy chief minister Francis D’Souza. 

Earlier, before the election, AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva said they have no idea who was fighting the election from the Opposition side.

“No one has contacted us seeking our support. We don’t know who is contesting the election from the Opposition camp,” Viegas said.