It took 10 days for the media to discover independent Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar's disqualification petition against Vishwajit Rane over defying Congress whip for voting on confidence motion on March 16. All possible implications of this fresh petition against the junior Rane are being discussed and non-existent SC precedents are being cited to support the argument that the petition has been pushed by Vishwajit himself to offset the Congress petition filed before the HC.
HC order posted for August 8 could stand to upset Rane considerably, if it upholds Congress' case and the talk around the town is that the HC proceedings will be stalled while the Speaker now deals with a petition against a non-member of the House. However, Gaonkar's petition can have no legal bearing on the ongoing HC matter because it is for the first time that a sitting independent member has sought the disqualification of a non-sitting member of the House for violating the party whip.
It makes no sense for Gaonkar, who supports the Parrikar-led government, to seek Vishwajit's disqualification. But it is quite likely that the plan is merely to create chaos and confusion.
Congress Legislative Party, which is perennially a house divided, was indeed taken by surprise and MLAs wondered out loud if this development will cast a shadow on the HC order. Whoever masterminded this petition has paid heed to 33rd US President Harry Truman's advice: "If you cannot convince them, confuse them".
HC order posted for August 8 could stand to upset Rane considerably, if it upholds Congress' case and the talk around the town is that the HC proceedings will be stalled while the Speaker now deals with a petition against a non-member of the House. However, Gaonkar's petition can have no legal bearing on the ongoing HC matter because it is for the first time that a sitting independent member has sought the disqualification of a non-sitting member of the House for violating the party whip.
It makes no sense for Gaonkar, who supports the Parrikar-led government, to seek Vishwajit's disqualification. But it is quite likely that the plan is merely to create chaos and confusion.
Congress Legislative Party, which is perennially a house divided, was indeed taken by surprise and MLAs wondered out loud if this development will cast a shadow on the HC order. Whoever masterminded this petition has paid heed to 33rd US President Harry Truman's advice: "If you cannot convince them, confuse them".
