PANAJI
A demand for discussion of the contentious Mhadei issue will be considered if it comes from MLAs through proper channel, Goa legislative assembly Speaker, Ramesh Tawadkar said on Sunday in signs of a thawing of his relationship with the combined Opposition.
"If the proposal comes from MLAs through the proper channel, it will be considered. It is a long pending issue which has now reached a peak. A discussion on it is required," Tawadkar said.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao had said he would approach the Speaker and submit a letter demanding a one-day discussion on Mhadei.
He said, he would also place before the Speaker the demand for a private member's business day during the upcoming winter session slated to begin from January 16.
"I will be submitting written letter to Hon'ble Speaker Bab @ramesh_tawadkar tomorrow before the Business Advisory Committee Meeting & demand 1. One Day Discussion on Mhadei 2. Private Members Business Day," Alemao tweeted, adding that he will also raise other issues.
Dialogue between the united Opposition and the Speaker had broken down after the latter had refused to meet them accusing them of insulting the Speaker's office, taking umbrage to an Opposition member Vijai Sardesai's allegation that the government should not consider the Speaker as its employee.
Sardesai had made the statement in the context of the winter session of the Assembly being restricted to just four days which he alleged was done at the behest of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Citing Sardesai's statement, Tawadkar had refused to keep an appointment with the joint Opposition which wanted to petition him to consider increasing the number of working days of the session.
On Sunday, however, Tawadkar apparently softened his stance and has indicated an open mind for a discussion on Mhadei.
"All 40 MLAs are committed to protection of interest of the State," Tawadkar said, adding that as the Speaker he is open to constructive suggestions by the Opposition on genuine issues.
The Opposition's main bone of contention is that the winter session is restricted to just four days. Since it is to end on Thursday, the private members business day on Friday is eliminated this session.
"Private Members Business is held on Fridays, but as the session concludes on Thursday, Opposition MLAs will not get an opportunity," Alemao had said when the stalemate with the Speaker refusing to meet the Opposition had cropped up in late December.
Alemao had then led the Opposition leaders to Raj Bhavan where they urged Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai to direct the government to allow Private Members Business day.
