PANJIM: With eight legislators, including a cabinet Minister having resigned in the run up for the elections held on February 4, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha will address the House with just 31 MLAs on Tuesday and for the first time in a decade the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leaders will be seated on the opposition benches.
The day-long Assembly session will be the last session of
the current term, and will be held though a new Assembly has already been voted for but the result is yet to be declared as counting will be held on March 11.
In this “technical” session, called to avoid the dissolution of the Assembly under Article 174 of the Constitution of India, the Governor will address the House to inform the ‘cause of its summons’, rather than highlighting the policies of the government, as is the practice otherwise.
The session, will prove historical, as ruling coalition partner MGP has already withdrawn its support to the government, while eight MLAs resigned and shifted their political loyalties before the polls.
Former Congress MLAs Mauvin Godinho and Pandurang Madkaikar joined BJP, Atanasio Monserrate contested on a United Goans ticket. Agriculture and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar resigned as MLA and from BJP after he was denied ticket and contested as an independent. Two independent MLAs, Vijai Sardesai joined Goa Forward and Naresh Sawal entered MGP. Goa Vikas Party’s Francisco Pacheco contested on Goa Su-Raj party and Caetano Silva as an independent.
Since the code of conduct is in force, the government has sought permission from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to hold the one-day session. “ECI has already granted NOC to government to hold Assembly session,” CEO Kunal told Herald informing that the Governor calling for a session is as per the Constitution of India.
Meanwhile, social activist Adv Aires Rodrigues, who petitioned the High Court to direct the government to either call for a session or dissolve the assembly, has welcomed the government’s decision and termed it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. “The government which is now known for all its U-turns over the last five years has at least taken the final U-turn in the right direction,” he said.
