Prerogative of CM: Babush on portfolio share
When questioned about portfolio allocation, Atanasio Monseratte (Babush) said: "You ask the Chief Minister. That is the prerogative of the Chief Minister."
On Tawadkar as Speaker, he said: "It is a privilege that for the first time a Speaker has been elected from the ST community."
Bhivpachi Garaz Na, maintains Reginaldo
On being left out of Cabinet so far, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco stated: "I told you 'Bhivpachi Garaz Na' why are you asking me again and again."
When asked whether he was expecting a ministry? he said: "Why are you so interested in my expectations?"
"You were opposing BJP now supporting it, how are your supporters looking at it?" was the question posed to Reginaldo to which he replied saying: "Politics is not static, politics is dynamic. There is no rulebook. Issues remain we will see. Why are you taking tension over the second, third round (of cabinet expansion)? Be sussegado, why you all are so much worried?"
CM promised Pednekars a ministry: Arlekar
On being accused of dadagiri with government officials in Pernem, MLA Pravin Arlekar said, "Dadagiri will not be allowed there by anyone. I have started solving people's problems. The staff was inactive, I have activated them to serve people. I am elected for the people, not for myself."
On Tawadkar as Speaker, Arlekar said he has come from the lower strata of society to become Speaker. "I feel proud, he should help the poor."
On whether he will get a ministry, the MLA said: "I can get a ministry because CM Pramod Sawant had promised us in a meeting. Pednekars are expecting. He (CM) had promised before 6,000 people. He should fulfil his promise."
High Command will pick CLP leader: Lobo
On being questioned over the delay in the appointment of the CLP leader, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo stated: "We have already sent a resolution to AICC for the Congress president to take a call on who will be the CLP leader. The same process was followed by the BJP. In the BJP, the call was taken by the Centre. It will happen (soon). The resolution we have passed by all 11 members. It was unanimously passed. There was no issue. So let the High Command decide. High Command means Congress president Sonia Gandhi. It is not about (me) accepting or not accepting. Let the party decide. Congress president, Gundu Rai AICC in-charge, P Chidambaram should sit together and decide."
On delay in appointment of Congress State president, he said "I do not know about the GPCC president. This will be discussed there."
On new faces in assembly, the MLA said: "There are good new faces and it is a good opportunity for them to learn what are their rules and regulations of the business of the day and they have to bring out real issues which are troubling their constituency and also Goa. Here, all questions should be tabled and demand answers from the Government. We have told the Speaker that the Speaker should have a training session for them."
On fuel price hike, he stated: "The government of the day has to help the poor, especially the average people staying in rural Goa, who travel to Panaji or Margao on two-wheelers. They suffer every day because they have to use fuel worth Rs 200, Rs 300. CM should take a decision on VAT on petrol or diesel to reduce prices."
Speaker assures to maintain sanctity of House
On his appointment as Speaker, Ramesh Tawadkar said: "This is a constitutional post, I will make efforts towards doing it justice. I will maintain the sanctity of the House and follow the rules. I will take members from the ruling and opposition along while running the House. I am a common party worker, who comes from a rural area. I am proud today because this is a tall post, one which has respect. And because there is respect attached to it, through the State departments and central agencies, I will aim to make people living in rural areas self-sufficient."
When asked if a Speaker can be as effective as a Minister vis-a-vis development works, he said, "Many think that this can be achieved only if one is a Minister. I do not agree with it because, in the last year, I have carried out many tasks without even being an MLA."
On 50 per cent of newbies in the House, he said: "Even if there are new MLAs, they come from a social activism background. They may take some time to study the rules and functioning of the House. It is our effort to train them to ensure that they perform well in the House."
No comments, says Gaude on Sudin’s situation
On Sudin Dhavalikar being kept out of the Cabinet, Govind Gaude said: "I do not want to comment on it. But let us wait and watch."
Sudin says never demanded anything from
On his status of support to the government,
MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar said: "We never demanded anything. MGP has given a clear letter that unconditional support has been given."
When asked if he has expectations of joining the Cabinet, Sudin said: "I don't want to comment on this because it is unconditional. it is for them to decide."
When questioned whether MGP's support will continue if a Cabinet berth is denied? he said: "Our support is there. We have supported them for the Speaker's (election). Ministry is not important? None of my business."
Man proposes, not disposes: Aleixo on Speaker poll
On losing the Speaker's election, Aleixo Sequeira said: "I said I would win, but they say 'man proposes, not disposes'. Here I am."
On his hopes of a split in BJP votes, he said: "I expected it did not happen. Nobody ditched. That was wishful thinking on my part."
Tawadkar should have been minister: Borkar
Viresh Borkar has said: "When we speak of a united opposition, I will also work as an independent opposition. I congratulate Speaker Tawadkar sir. He has done good work. He should have got a ministership because his constituency needs a lot of work done. What happened to Vishnu Wagh should not happen to (Tawadkar). Vishnu could not get a ministry which is why developmental work could not be carried out in his constituency. I will not just raise St Andre issues, but issues related to all of Goa. There is no proper water and power supply in the Canacona constituency. We have travelled there. I thought the region would get a good ministry."
People of Ponda are fortunate: Ravi
"First priority, third district. Work will begin fast. The benefit will be to the poor people who have to travel to Panaji, Margao. Valpoi could be included in the Ponda district," said Ravi Naik.
On three ministries for Ponda, Ravi said: "People from Ponda are fortunate."
On the political isolation of Dhavalikar, he said: "I do not know that."
