PANAJI
Amid strained equations with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has called a meeting of all Opposition MLAs on January 3 to work out a joint strategy against the BJP government during the upcoming Winter Session of the State Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin on January 12.
The Congress Legislative Party (CLP), led by Alemao, on Monday held a meeting to deliberate on key issues affecting the State, the recently concluded Zilla Panchayat election results, and measures to strengthen the party organisation. The CLP also resolved to plan a united approach to corner the government on the floor of the House. Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira were part of the meeting.
Confirming the meeting, Alemao said it has been scheduled for January 3 and that all Opposition parties — the Goa Forward Party (GFP), AAP and RGP — have been invited.
“We have invited all. Now it is for them to decide,” Alemao said adding that today, people’s aspiration is to see a strong opposition with unity to protect Goa.
The question of Opposition unity continues to loom large, with AAP and RGP having contested the Zilla Panchayat elections independently, highlighting the growing strains between these parties and the Congress. The differences could pose challenges in forging a cohesive Opposition front during the Assembly session.
Interestingly, GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and RGP MLA Viresh Borkar had skipped opposition meeting in July, called ahead of Monsoon session.
The five-day winter session will begin with the Governor’s customary address to the House on January 12 at 11.30 am, outlining the government’s agenda and priorities. January 16, a Friday, has been earmarked as Private Members’ Day, when non-government members are expected to raise issues of public importance through resolutions and legislative business.
The House is likely to witness heated debates over the recent fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, which claimed 25 lives and triggered widespread public outrage. The tragedy has once again put the spotlight on alleged enforcement lapses, illegal constructions and safety violations in the tourism and hospitality sector.
The Opposition is expected to seek accountability from the government, question regulatory failures and demand clarity on the progress of investigations, while also targeting the subsequent crackdown on illegal tourism establishments across the State.
