PANAJI
Goa's united Opposition on Monday boycotted the meeting of all party legislators called by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to discuss the Mhadei controversy accusing the State government of being in connivance with the Centre on the dispute in favour of Karnataka.
The joint Opposition led by Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao said they do not want to be "partners in crime" of murdering the Mhadei river.
"The Centre and State, who are in connivance on the issue should get it sorted out," they said.
Earlier, Alemao addressed a press conference along with all the other six legislators of the Opposition where he took strong objection to the Chief Minister discussing the issue and announcing the decisions even before the all-party meeting of MLAs scheduled in the evening.
"I strongly object to this. CM has already announced decisions related to the Mhadei issue. So what are they calling us for? Are we cattle?," a furious Alemao said, adding that the Sawant-led government is only interested in bulldozing agenda and has no respect for dialogue or discussion.
Alemao also said that it is political "set up" and that the State government and the Central government which are both BJP are in connivance.
"If the CM and WRD Minister are meeting the Prime Minister, they should get the approval of the DPRs withdrawn or else he should resign on moral grounds," Alemao said.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Venzy Viegas questioned the effectiveness of the State government's decision to fight the matter in court.
"So BJP Goa will fight against BJP India? The two engines will fight against each other in court over Mhadei?," Viegas asked, adding that it appears to be a strategy to delay and distract Goans.
Barring Viresh Borkar of Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) all other Opposition MLAs were present at the press conference held in the Opposition Leader's chamber at the Goa legislative assembly complex.
