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Disqualification plea against MGP MLAs: Agnelo files affidavit in SC
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Oct 12 In a sudden development the Congress MLA Mr Agnelo Fernandes has
informed the Supreme Court of India that he would not like to proceed with the
disqualification petition against the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party
legislators, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavlikar and Mr Pandurang Dhavlikar, pending before
the Speaker, Mr Pratapsing Rane.
Mr Fernandes in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court has said that in
view of the resolution passed by the MGP of withdrawing from the Goa Democratic
Alliance, that was formed on July 25 with Bharatiya Janata Party leading it, he
was not desirous of going ahead with petitions bearing number 2 and 3 of 2007.
The move is widely seen as a rapprochement bid between the two parties, ahead
of crucial by-elections to the Mormugao (South Goa) parliamentary constituency
and the MGP support is crucial to the Congress to win the electoral battle
scheduled on October 30.
It may be recalled Dhavlikar brothers, who represent Madkaim and Priol
constituency respectively, had approached the apex court after the Speaker
barred them from functioning as members of the House on July 30, ahead of
crucial trust vote that was won by the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat,
subsequently.
The Speaker, by an order passed last month, had restored the membership of the
Dhavlikar brothers but denied them voting right in the assembly.
The Chief Minister said that he was not aware of the affidavit and that he
would not like to comment on it. Similarly, the Goa pradesh Congress committee
president, Mr Francisco Sardinha also denied any knowledge of withdrawal of
petition or filing of an affidavit.
However, highly placed sources in the Congress said that this was part of
contingency plan drawn by the Congress to meet any exigency in event of any
supporting group or member walking out of the coalition and also to consolidate
its position. They said that there was a feeling that the MGP could play
crucial role in the parliamentary elections.
Mr Ramkrishna Dhavlikar told The Navhind Times that Mr Fernandes has filed an
affidavit in the SC and expressed hope that he and his brother would now get
the justice that they have been fighting for long.
The newly formed alliance crumbled soon after the trust vote was won with Mr
Atanasio Monserrate (United Goans Democratic Party) walking out of it followed
by Mr Churchill Alemao and Mr Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco. Soon thereafter, the
Dhavlikar brothers also left the alliance and the only members left in it are
the BJP members and the Independent MLA, Mr Anil Salgaonkar.
In another development, sources close to the Dhavlikar brothers, said the MGP
legislators would seek deletion of their names from the petition filed by the
now defunct GDA.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=10138
Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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