PORVORIM: The opposition benches, including Independent MLAs, who were taking on the government over the casino issue walked out from the Assembly after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar questioned their intentions in raising issues related to casinos.
“I know why questions about casinos are raised on the floor of the House. I know who have dealings with the casinos and who have business relationships with them,” Parsekar said. “Those who gave birth to the entire casino culture in the State are now questioning us. We did not bring casinos. We have tried to control them due to which a few offshore casinos have closed down,” the CM said.
Parsekar alleged that some of the members were trying to use the floor of the House to get political mileage by raising the casino issue. The opposition, led by Leader of Opposition Pratapsinh Rane, Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Independents Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal took objection to the statement leading to a ruckus on the floor.
Khaunte and Sawal demanded that the Chief Minister mind his language while leveling allegations against the opposition MLAs.
The verbal duel between Sawal and Parsekar began when latter said, “I am coming to Bicholim (Sawal’s constituency).”
“Are you threatening me? Let me see how you come to Bicholim,” Sawal responded triggering noisy scenes on the floor of the House.
As the Chief Minister refused to budge, the opposition MLAs staged a walk out.
