PANAJI
Opposition on Wednesday petitioned Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju demanding that a Special Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly be convened at the earliest, failing which they have sought dismissal of the Council of Ministers led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, the delegation”comprising AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, and RGP MLA Viresh Borkar”submitted a memorandum alleging that the premature curtailment of the Budget Session earlier this week was unconstitutional and undermined legislative processes. Notably, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai was absent from the delegation.
In their memorandum, the Opposition urged the Governor to direct the government to immediately convene a Special Session to complete pending legislative business, including proper discussion and passage of the State Budget. They warned that any refusal or delay in doing so should invite constitutional action.
“If the Government refuses, fails, or neglects to convene such a Special Session within a reasonable time, we request the Governor to recommend to the President dismissal of the Council of Ministers under Article 356 read with Article 174,” the memorandum stated, also seeking dissolution of the Assembly.
The Opposition contended that the abrupt truncation of the Budget Session curtailed debate, scrutiny and approval of key financial business, violating constitutional provisions under Articles 174, 202, 203 and 208.
Addressing the media, Alemao asserted that the legislature is supreme and cannot be overridden by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). “The MCC has no authority over the functioning of the House. This decision is unprecedented,” he said.
The memorandum also cited examples of States such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tripura and Nagaland, where Budget Sessions have continued despite the MCC being in force due to ongoing by-elections. “In some States, budgets were even presented during this period. Goa cannot be treated differently,” Alemao said.
RGP MLA Viresh Borkar said a separate communication has been sent to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking clarity on the issue, while AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said the Opposition has invoked constitutional provisions before the Governor and may escalate the matter further if required.
Terming the government’s move as “dictatorial”, the Opposition maintained that convening a Special Session is essential to uphold democratic and constitutional norms.
