PANAJI
Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Monday dismissed a disqualification petition filed against eight MLAs, who had defected from Congress to join BJP in September 2022. The plea was filed by Congress leader Dominic John Noronha of Dramapur-Sirlim.
Meanwhile, after a delay of almost two years, the Speaker heard the disqualification plea filed by former Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar in November 2022. The arguments in this matter are scheduled on October 24-25.
These developments come following directions from the Supreme Court to the Speaker to dispose off the disqualification pleas before November 4, when the matter is scheduled to be heard next.
Speaking to media persons, Noronha said that the Speaker has passed a 32-page order dismissing his plea against the eight MLAs. He said that a decision to challenge the order will be taken after going through it.
Later speaking, Chodankar’s counsel Adv Abhijit Gosavi said that after almost two years, the Speaker heard the plea and the matter is now kept for arguments on October 24-25.
“Notices are issued to the respondents directing them to file replies by October 18, while we are asked to file rejoinder by October 22,” he said.
Gosavi said that the decision in the matter is expected before November 4.
“It is only because of the Supreme Court that the matter has been heard and will be decided,” he said.
Then eight Congress MLAs”Digambar Kamat, Michael Lobo, Delilah Lobo, Kedar Naik, Sankalp Amonkar, Rajesh Faldesai, Aleixo Sequeira, and Rudolf Fernandes”joined the BJP.
Two more disqualification petitions filed by Congress president Amit Patkar against the eight rebel MLAs and a separate plea against Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo for being instrumental in the switch over are also pending before the Speaker.
The petitioners before the Speaker had sought disqualification of the eight MLAs under the Tenth Schedule of Constitution of India and had prayed that pending hearing and final disposal of the matter, the MLAs be restrained from functioning as Members of the State Legislative Assembly and from holding any Constitutional post or office of profit.
