Opposition MLAs being marshalled out of the House on Monday. Captured by : Narayan Pissurlenkar
MAPUSA
The winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly began on a stormy note on Monday as a combative joint Opposition disrupted the Governor’s address, demanding accountability for the deaths of 25 people in the devastating Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy.
The protests escalated to such an extent that Opposition MLAs were forcibly marshalled out of the Assembly Hall.
Even before the Governor, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju could begin his customary address, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao interrupted proceedings, urging the constitutional head to first acknowledge what he described as an “inhuman tragedy” that has shaken the State.
“Please speak on the inhuman tragedy of the Birch fire. Twenty-five innocent lives were lost. This is nothing short of murder by this government. There has to be accountability,” Alemao said, raising slogans and accusing the government of moral and administrative failure.
As the Governor proceeded with his address amid loud sloganeering, Opposition MLAs rushed to the well of the House, displayed placards and shouted “shame, shame,” forcing marshals to step in and escort them out.
Later, addressing the media, Alemao said the Opposition had made a “simple and humane demand” ” that the House begin the session by paying respect to the deceased.
“The death of 25 people is a black day in Goa’s history. A minute’s silence should have been observed. Instead, the government chose indifference. There is blood on the hands of this government,” he said, alleging that lower-level officials were being made scapegoats while political accountability was being evaded.
AAP MLA Venzy Viegas accused the government of disrespecting the departed souls. “Illegal permissions granted by the government led to this tragedy. The BJP couldn’t even observe two minutes of silence. This shows how heartless they are,” he said.
Goa Forward Party president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said the Governor should have begun by paying homage to the victims. Pointing out that the structure was built on khazan land, Sardesai said the incident had severely tarnished “Brand Goa.”
“This government has no heart. Not paying shradanjali to the dead exposes its complete moral bankruptcy,” he said.
The first day of the winter session thus unfolded not with policy pronouncements, but with grief, anger and a fierce battle over accountability for one of Goa’s deadliest tragedies.
