Opposition leaders move no-confidence motion against Parsekar govt in Goa

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar. (file photo)

Into its seventh day of monsoon session, Goa State Assembly on Tuesday witnessed high drama as opposition leaders moved a no-confidence motion (NCM) against incumbent Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar led BJP government. The 12-member opposition legislators led by Congress leader and former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, leveled series of allegations against the BJP for its high-handedness in conducting business in the House among other charges. They alleged that the opposition queries were intentionally struck down from starred to unstarred category and unanimously rallied against the proposed five per cent increase of water tariff.

Opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane said that the manner in which the chief minsiter and environment minister handled the assembly was objectionable. “Similarly the Speaker Anant Shet had completely failed to govern the session (in a non-biased manner),” Rane said.

The development comes barely a day after a section of opposition leaders staged a walk-out of the house, claiming that no sufficient time was given for them to raise queries. Of those legislators supporting the no-confidence motion, include seven from Congress, three independent leaders led by Vijai Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal and Goa Vikas party legislator Francisco Mickky Pacheco, unattached MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate, while Congress legislator Mauvin Godinho (considered close ally to the ruling party) and another GVK leader did not support the petition. Rane told the media that he has requested the speaker to place the motion before the house for floor test by the end of the day.