BJP alleges subversion of democracy in Goa

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators from Goa held a demonstration here today against alleged improprieties in a recent confidence vote in the State Assembly.

New Delhi, Aug 10 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators from Goa held a demonstration here today against alleged improprieties in a recent confidence vote in the State Assembly.

BJP legislators charged Goa Assembly Speaker Pratapsinh Rane of subverting democracy, to help the ruling Congress in Goa win the floor test on July 30.

While addressing the legislators here, senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani said: "Of the 40 members in the Assembly, who have a majority, they are sitting in Delhi, whereas the ones who don't have a majority are ruling the State in Goa."

He said this has not happened for the first time.

"I can remember such instances in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and in Jharkhand," said Advani.

Now, the last hope is the judiciary, he said.

The Supreme Court, on August 6, issued notices to Goa Government and Speaker Rane on petitions challenging the Speaker's order restraining three MLAs from voting, during Chief Minister Digambar Kamat's floor test, resulting in the Congress victory.

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLAs - Sudin Dhavalikar and Dipak Dhavilkar - and Victoria Fernandes, the Congress MLA who had resigned from the State Assembly, were restrained from voting.

The BJP and the MGP have sought a stay on the Speaker's order alleging that the orders were not even served with the copies of the disqualification.

The case is scheduled for next hearing on August 13.

"We are hoping that on Monday (August 13), when the matter comes up for hearing in the Supreme Court, justice is given to us," said Advani.

BJP claimed it had the support of 20 members in a 40-member legislature, with an effective strength of 39.

BJP President Rajnath Singh said his party would launch a political agitation against the Speaker's order.

"The biggest strength of India is its democracy and the BJP will not let the country's democracy be compromised even if we have to come out on the streets and fight for it," said Singh.

ANI