Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat hit back at Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who accused the opposition of ‘unparliamentary actions’ after they wore black armbands and held up placards in the legislative assembly during the Governor’s maiden address on Monday.
Opposition MAs during a protest inside the Goa assembly on Monday (HT PHOTO)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Opposition legislators including Aleixo Lourenco, Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte had held up placards in a protest that was somewhat muted because Governor of Goa and Maharashtra B S Koshyari cut short his maiden speech claiming that he had health problems.
“On the first day of the Assembly session, we saw inappropriate and unparliamentary actions of the opposition benches towards the Honourable Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari ji. The opposition should introspect and uphold the democratic values, and also work in the interest of the people,” Sawant said.
Kamat took to Twitter to hit back saying, “[The] government must listen to Emotions, Sentiments & Aspirations of the People & the Duty of the Opposition is to be the Voice of the People. Some Actions come as a Reaction. Let the Government show the courage to face the Opposition at Length in Assembly without adopting shortcuts.”
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
The opposition which now consists of less than one fourth of the total strength of the Goa Legislative Assembly owing to large scale defections over the last five years, has been raising its voice claiming that the Goa government is stifling dissenting voices.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
The opposition which now consists of less than one fourth of the total strength of the Goa Legislative Assembly owing to large scale defections over the last five years, has been raising its voice claiming that the Goa government is stifling dissenting voices.
{{/usCountry}}
“If the government is afraid of even the little of the opposition that is left then they are really afraid,” Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party said.
Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines, and real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, weather, and major national developments.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines, and real-time updates from across the nation. Stay informed on politics, government policies, crime, weather, and major national developments.
