PORVORIM: Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly’s fourth day got off to a stormy start with the Opposition forcing four adjournments of the proceedings, to protest the arrest of Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte.
The Opposition MLAs registered strong protest to the wee-hour drama by wearing black arm bands. As the Assembly met at 11.30 am, the legislators sought to know from the Speaker the reason for acting on a ‘false complaint’ against Khaunte. The Speaker explained to the members of the House that police had obtained permission from him before going ahead with Khaunte’s arrest “as the incident occurred within the precinct of the Assembly complex.”
Not convinced with the reply, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat joined by Khaunte himself, Goa Forward leaders Vijai Sardesai, Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinod Palyekar, MGP’s Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, and Congress MLAs including Pratapsingh Rane, Luizinho Faleiro, Ravi Naik, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco walked into the well of the House demanding ‘justice.’
Speaker adjourned the Assembly by 12 noon but the uproar continued even after it resumed despite Speaker asking the MLAs to allow smooth conduct of the business. “You are disturbing the House. Go to your seats,” an angry Patnekar told MLAs, who refused, forcing another adjournment till 12.30 pm. The House witnessed same scenario at 12.30 pm when the Chair adjourned the House for the third time till 2.30 pm.
On resuming the session, the Opposition Leader yet again walked into the well of the House demanding that BJP spokesperson Premanand Mhambrey, who lodged a complaint against Khaunte of threat, be arrested for “false complaint.” “We want justice,” shouted the MLAs forcing fourth adjournment till 3 pm, when Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was scheduled to table the Budget.
When Opposition MLAs came with the same intention to disrupt the proceedings till action is initiated against Mhambrey, the chief minister began reading the Budget speech amidst slogans from the Opposition. The Speaker after reiterating his request to the agitating MLAs to go back to their seats, did not adjourn the House this time but instructed marshals to escort the MLAs out of the House.
The Opposition MLAs accused Speaker of acting upon the pressure of the government and allowing Khaunte’s arrest without verifying the contents of BJP spokesperson’s allegations. The upset MLAs questioned as to how the Speaker could allow some individuals to meet him with demand for Khaunte’s suspension during the session. “This is breach of privilege,” the MLAs lamented.
The Speaker clarified that he will not act on the memorandum of the BJP Yuva Morcha demanding Khaunte’s suspension from the ongoing Assembly.
Addressing journalists at the end of the session, Patnekar said if required they will provide CCTV footage of the incident to the police.
“We have CCTV in the Assembly complex. Police have not sought for this evidence as of now. We will provide them if asked. Allegations that I acted on party (BJP) pressure is not true. I gave permission for Khaunte’s arrest based on police report they gave me,” he said.
On the other hand, Khaunte denied the charges made against him stating that he shares good relation with Mhambrey and did not threaten him.
“If MLAs get such a treatment, then what is the fate of the common man,” he questioned. Sources said the Porvorim MLA passed light comment on Mhambrey while shaking hands on Wednesday but did not resort to any move amounting to criminal offence.
