The Hindu 21.03.2013
Goa House adjourned twice over mayoral poll postponement
‘Government’s decision shows lack of respect for democracy’
The Goa Legislative Assembly was adjourned twice during Question Hour on Wednesday, after Opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House, protesting against the decision to postpone the Panaji mayoral elections, scheduled for Wednesday.
As soon as the Question Hour began, Leader of the Opposition Pratapsingh Rane was on his feet, describing the government’s move as “undemocratic”. The election process, once started, could not be postponed unilaterally, he said.
When Speaker Rajendra Arlekar did not allow the Opposition to raise the issue, Congress members and Vijay Sardesai, Independent, rushed to the well. They shouted slogans against the “unconstitutional” move and argued with the Speaker, who adjourned the House twice.
Except for Mauvin Godinho of the Congress who represents Dabolim in the House, the other party members boycotted the proceedings for a brief period when the House reconvened.
Opposition MLAs and councillors also called on Governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo to lodge their protest.
Explanation
During the break, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told presspersons that the Directorate of Municipal Administration had received complaints from citizens saying there were no reservations in the City Corporation of Panaji (CCP) for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. So, the government had decided to examine the issue and amend the CCP Act if needed, and hence it was decided to postpone the election.
Frontrunner
Surendra Furtado was tipped to be Mayor, with the support of the Congress.
The election was scheduled for Wednesday as per an understanding last year, when BJP councillor Vaidehi Naik was elected Mayor on March 20 , 2012, with the support of Mr. Furtado and his councillor wife.
Mr. Furtado accused Mr. Parrikar of going back on his assurance. “He considers me a threat in the next Assembly election from Panaji,” he said (Mr. Parrikar was elected from Panaji Assembly constituency). “If Mr. Parrikar feels the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor should be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, then the same criteria should be applied while electing an MLA,” the councillor said.
The
postponement demonstrated a lack of respect for democracy, said
activist Aires Rodrigues and Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson
Trajano D’Mello.
