Opposition legislators sport armbands in protest; stage walkout
the goan I network
PANAJI
“The protest and walkout was to show our displeasure against the Governor, for giving the BJP the first opportunity to prove their majority despite the Congress being the single largest party. She has to invite us, but she didn’t,” Leader of Opposition, Chandrakant
Kavlekar said.
“Today, a party of only 13 MLAs is running the government. The mandate of the people has been defeated. She has not invited us to form the government. We have walked out. She has not heeded the mandate of the people,” Kavlekar said while speaking to journalists after the end of the session.
The Congress MLAs raised a point of order no sooner the Governor was to begin her speech and after raising slogans walked out of the Assembly. The party’s legislators also sported black armbands as a means to further their protests.
Kavlekar also raised the issue over how the Governor had admitted that she had consulted Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over what decision should be taken.
“She even said that she had taken the opinion of former minister Arun Jaitley. He is neither an AG nor a Solicitor General. She should take the advice of either the AG or the SG. But he is the finance minister and a member of the BJP,” Kavlekar said.
“Our rights have been taken away. The CM and six ministers were defeated in the polls. With her help of the Governor, they have been able to bring the party to power. Yet, we have not disrupted her speech or the house. We have maintained respect,” Kavlekar said.
