Goa Speaker, his deputy resign

Outgoing Speaker Vishwas Satarkar had disqualified Independent MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues, who is the Deputy CM, and accepted the resignation of BJP MLA Digambar Kamat — both supporting the Rane government after it came to power dislogding the BJP-led Manohar Parrikar government on February 2. With this, Congress and BJP each have the support of 17 MLAs.

As the House assembled to debate the vote of confidence, Satarkar announced the resignation of Deputy Speaker Narhari Haldankar and later declared that he too had decided to step down. This was a move intended to force the ruling party to elect its own Speaker so that its strength would be reduced by one.

It is still not clear when the trial of strength would take place. Jamir had asked the Chief Minister to prove his majority within a month and the House was convened for the purpose today. Later, Rane said there was no constitutional crisis in Goa and his government was in ‘‘no danger’’.

Asked when his government would move a motion on a vote of confidence again, Rane said: ‘‘We are first going to meet the Governor and give him a report on the happenings today. When he tells us things are in place and suggests another date, we will take the vote of confidence and we are confident we will win it.’’

‘‘I am happy that Satarkar has resigned and realised the extent of his actions on February 2. We had anticipated this as we realised that there is nothing that they can do now,’’ Rane said.

Stepping up its offensive, BJP will move an adjournment motion on the issue of the dismissal of its government in the Lok Sabha tomorrow.

Sardinha’s appointment, meanwhile, has already become controversial with BJP accusing him of tampering with the outgoing Speaker’s office. Former CM Manohar Parrikar accused Sardinha, Rodrigues and his lawyer Mahesh Sonak of tampering with office property even before the appointment of the Speaker. Denying the charge, Sonak has threatened to sue for defamation.