PANJIM: Terming it as “murder of democracy”, the United Opposition has decided to petition the Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly demanding to extend the sitting of the upcoming winter session of the Legislative Assembly to include the Private Member’s Day and to allow information beyond five years via assembly questions. The opposition has threatened to approach the High Court, if required, for necessary intervention.
The meeting chaired by the Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, was attended by the MLAs from Congress- Adv Carlos Ferreira and Alton D’Costa, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai, AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva and Revolutionary Goan Party MLA Viresh Borkar.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
During the meeting, the opposition expressed their disappointment over short duration of the upcoming winter session, scheduled from January 16-19 and to restrict the MLAs from obtaining information exclusively from the last five years via Legislative Assembly Questions.
The opposition pointed out that there are 19 first time MLAs who need to know about government policies and functioning beyond five years. They also said that Private Members Day is a constitutional right of the legislator, which cannot be denied.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Yuri Alemao said that all the seven MLAs are united and will put up a joint fight against the government on the floor of the House. “BJP government is making every effort to silence the opposition. But, we will definitely be the voice of Goans on the floor of the House, irrespective of our political differences,” he said.
He said that the opposition will call on the Speaker on Wednesday demanding that the House be either extended by two weeks or the session be commenced from January 17 (Tuesday) in order to include the Private Member’s Day. “We will also approach the Governor, if the Speaker denies. If that is not enough, we will approach the Court for justice,” Alemao said.
Alemao rightly pointed out that the Legislators and Legislative Staff are paid salaries from public funds and it is unfortunate that the House does not function.
MLA Vijai Sardesai said that in the history of Goa Assembly, this is for the first time that Private Members Day is cut-off from the session. “This decision is unprecedented in democracy. The government is basically scared of opposition,” he said.
Sardesai recalled that even the monsoon session held in July was curtailed to 10 days from 25 days.
AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said that almost 50 per cent of the MLAs are first-time legislators and they have full right to get themselves updated with information beyond five years. “What does the Speaker want us to do? File an RTI?” he questioned.
He said that the opposition are united and will fight together and be the voice of the people.
RG MLA Viresh Borkar accused the government of trying to suppress opposition voices. “But BJP will not succeed. Despite being seven, we are strong enough to expose the government and their misdeeds and scams,” he said.
Borkar said that private member’s day is crucial for the legislator as there are so many private bills and resolutions that one likes to raise.
