PANJIM: Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Monday adjourned disqualificataion petitions against two MLAs Michael Lobo and Digambar Kamat after the petitioner Amit Patkar opposed any bring witnesses and evidence on record. The matter is posted for March 22.
During the hearing, the two MLAs submitted fresh applications to the Speaker seeking leading of evidence, witnesses and cross examination of the petitioner. But this was strongly opposed by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar’s counsel Adv Abhijit Gosavi, who said that this was nothing but an attempt to delay the proceedings.
Adv Gosavi brought to the notice of the Speaker that the proceedings under Tenth Schedule of the Constitution are summary proceedings and have to be completed in a time-bound manner. Citing a ruling by the Supreme Court in the matter of Jagjit Singh v/s State of Haryana and others, he said that the proceedings under the Tenth Schedule, are not comparable to either a trial in a court of law or departmental proceedings for disciplinary action against an employee.
The rule which govern the disqualification petition only provides for documentary evidence therefore there is no question of permitting such leading of evidence etc, Adv Gosavi said, appealing to the Speaker not to entertain the applications of both the opponents.
The Speaker heard the arguments and posted the matter for orders on March 22.
The arguments on the main disqualification petition filed by Patkar in July 2022 is yet to commence. The Congress president had filed disqualification petitions before the Speaker against the then Leader of the Opposition Michael Lobo and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat for voluntarily giving up membership of the Congress party.
