MARGAO
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday expressed his regrets if Ramesh Tawadkar feels insulted or offended by his purported statement that the Speaker should not act as a government employee.
He, however, asserted that he has been demanding a full-fledged Assembly session to raise a host of questions, including reservations for the ST community, delay in disbursing pension for the senior citizens, diversion of Mhadei river by Karnataka, smuggling of food grains from the state et al.
Addressing the media, Sardesai clarified that he had only said that the government should not consider the Speaker as a government employee. “If Tawadkar by implication feels that I have termed him as a government employee, I have no issue, I certainly regret making the statement if they feel that I have offended the Speaker. I am ready to even go to the residence of the Speaker to express my apologies if he feels hurt over the statement,” he said.
The Goa Forward chief, however, stuck to his guns stating that the Speaker should have allowed a full-fledged Assembly session.
“I respect the office of the Speaker. In fact, I have stated that Speaker’s chair is above the Chief Minister in terms of protocol. We respect the chair since the Speaker is the custodian of the House,” he added.
On the threat by the BJP ST morcha to hold a dharna outside his residence if he fails to tender an apology over the Speaker’s comments, Sardesai said the ST community in Fatorda have been his supporters over the years. “The ST community has elected me from Fatorda. They have stood by me over the years and will remain with me in the future too,” he said.
Saying he has no issue with Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, the Fatorda MLA further said: “Let Tawadkar become the Chief Minister of Goa. I have no issue. In fact, I will welcome if the BJP makes a member of the ST community the Chief Minister."
