However, the biggest surprise was sprung by its own supporter – Independent MLA Naresh Sawal – who took on the government as if he was the leader of opposition.
The Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane, always cautious and this time saddled with two FIRs against his name, tried his best, but did not manage to make an impact.
The only credible opposition –given their limitations – were Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and independent MLA Vijai Sardesai.
According to sources, Sardesai, who also coordinated the battle for the divided Congress for the South Goa Lok Sabha elections also floor managed certain parts of the opposition response and spoke on behalf of at least three Congress MLAs for the discussion on the Budget.
However, leaving out these individual attempts, the opposition came out as disjointed and the only time they made a coordinated attempt was to walk out of the Assembly when the discussion for a Hindu Rashtra came up – in a rather tame attempt as opposition allowing the government to conduct the business of the House on that day without any opposition.
Viewers could be seen commenting that the Goa opposition should watch news and see how the opposition disrupts Parliament or Assembly instead of tamely walking out.
