In a related development post adjourning the House "sine die" the members of the INC and BJP rushed to the Governors residence.
The BJP + UGDP cmbine of 17 members demanded the sacking of the INC + MGP + NCP combine headed by Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane as he had failed to prove his majority--- said Mr Manohar Parrikar the sacked CM, as it was situation ante i.e as on 2nd February,2005 where the Governor sacked him. Justifying his stand he stated that since it is for the ruling INC + MGP + NCP responsibility to get one of their members elected by the Governor under art 180 of the Constitution there would be 16 + 1 Speaker as against his BJP 17 now that both Speaker and Dy Speaker have resigned and Mr Filipe Neri Rodrigues stands disqualified. However the Governor has appointed Mr Francisco Sardinha senior MLA of the INC the largest party of the combine to be the Speaker. It is now obvious that the disqualification of UGDP leader supporting the BJP is imminent as he had defied the whip on 2nd February, 2005. But there seems to be a small hitch it is not certain who can issue the whip whether the Party Presidium or the elected member of the party but since UGDP is the sole member there may yet be a last minute surprise move by the BJP. Meanwhile there is an apprehension that Mr Rodrigues will seek a stay from the High Court tommorrow and thus qualify for voting in the House thereby ensuring the BJP goes down to 16 if the Speaker disqualifies Mr Saldhana and INC MGP NCP will gain one Independent Mr Rodrigues if he suceeds in obtaining a stay. But all said and done while this is a battle of wits by both sides the electorate is expecting the last step of the BJP to resign enmasse and thereby demand fresh elections all over. There was a huge crowd at Hotel Nova Goa of BJP supporter who were taken to the Governors Raj Bhavan at 4.55 p.m. IST they were taken in an AC coach while Mr Saldanha was taken in a car alongwith some staunch supporters of the BJP. Earlier in the same fashion the INC led combine also made use of the GTDC van to transport them to the Secretariat. With the day being filled with eventful items on the National front viz the Union Budget which has been largely welcomed by all sectors all eyes were fixed on todays drama to unfurl at the Secretariat but unfortunately proved a damper with the resignations and adjournement of the House sine die. The local vernacular daily ( Tarun Bharat ) released a special supplement with todays political event on its mast head besides the Budget bonanza Earlier the SC did not desire to go into the petition in view of the proceedings that ought to take place today. The BJP wing was ably assisted by Mr Pramod Mahajan while Ms Margaret Alva was assisting the INC camp. One rumour floating is the Ms Alva is apparently keen on getting elected to the RS from the Goa Legislative Assembly which will soon be vacated by Mr Eduardo S Faleiro on 28/7/2005 who incidentally has not played any role thus far in the political drama. GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Help save the life of a child. Support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's 'Thanks & Giving.' http://us.click.yahoo.com/mGEjbB/5WnJAA/E2hLAA/0FHolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> http://www.goa-world.com http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music http://www.mahableshwar.com/ Addresses: Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL to this page: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
