PANJIM, AUG 5
Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Pratapsingh Rane today tagged Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar as ‘clever’ and one who monopolises debates in the House and does not give time to his teammates to speak.
Speaking on the no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), against him, Rane asked Parrikar to allow his legislators to speak.
“I thank the Opposition members especially Leader of Opposition for raising the motion…so that I can expose their bankruptcy…He (Parrikar) is very clever…he is an IITian… but please allow your members to speak”, he stated adding “…I respect him for his cleverness and intelligence…but allow others to talk and do not monopolise the debates and discussions”.
Reacting to yet another allegation made by Parrikar that Rane termed BJP as ‘fraud political party’ at a rally at Valpoi, the Speaker said that his statements were misinterpreted by the media.
“I don’t talk about parties but speak for the people of Goa. This is democracy and we have rule of majority…I don’t tell stories after stories like the leader of Opposition…” Rane said minutes before the head count on the motion.
Indirectly taking a dig at the media, he stated, “in Goa, there is a lot of competition among newspapers including regional dailies…It is good but also bad when journalists misinterpret things”.
