NT Reporter
Panaji
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, on Monday, said that passing the entire Budget without holding any discussion is a ‘murder of democracy.’ “There is a session also in Maharashtra, and there is also an Assembly election. Why is that continuing and why is there a different treatment for Goa,” Alemao said.
“Even if they curtail the session in the interest of Ponda, they should have taken the vote on account. He is passing the whole Budget without discussion on any of the demands. This is a murder. Never ever such a thing has happened. So, all six of us have come out in protest. We have been hurt. They (marshals) have carried us from there. There is no speaker here. This is a dictatorship which Goans are watching today. If he wanted he (CM) could have taken the vote on account and call the session again. Now, there will be a two day session in September,” Alemao said.
The Opposition MLAs were marshalled out of the House after they entered the well over passing of the entire Budget, but Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai remained in the House.
After speaking on the Appropriation Bill, he too walked out of the House.
“This is nothing but the murder of democracy and the ‘fixers’ have been exposed today. What has happened today is not in the interest of democracy. We had thought that at least vote on account would be taken and we will be able to speak on demands. There are also some commanders of this government who are experts at fixing. This is my charge,” Alemao said, adding, “It is for Goenkars to decide what is happening with this government and who are the moles within elected members who have to be exposed.”
Sardesai said that in 2013, the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar had presented the budget and the session had to be cut short. He took the vote on account for four months and the discussion was held later.
“I have also boycotted and left in protest. If they had to take vote on account I would have waited in the House,” he said.
“They (Opposition MLAs) cannot decide for me. Those who do not have the knowledge and do not know parliamentary procedures, what they will teach me?” he questioned.
