Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Sep 1: High drama unfolded in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday as opposition members protested over the No-Building Zone (NDZ) issue, prompting Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar to call marshals and order the removal of three MLAs from the House.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemayehu, MLA Elton DiCosta and MLA Viresh Borkar were escorted out after they repeatedly rushed towards the Speaker's chair and raised slogans demanding a discussion on the construction-prohibited zone.
The uproar began during Question Hour after a question raised by Alemayehu, Kuze Silva, Carlos Ferreira and other opposition members on the NDZ issue was not taken up for discussion.
Speaker Gaonkar explained that the question sought detailed information covering three years and therefore could not be answered under Rule 30 of the Assembly.
The opposition members, however, were not satisfied with the explanation. They moved towards the Speaker's chair and raised slogans against the government, despite repeated appeals from the Speaker to return to their seats.
Gaonkar assured the members that they would be given an opportunity to discuss the issue and that a detailed explanation would be provided. He also said the Working Committee's report would be presented before the House and made available to the members.
With the protest continuing, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes.
When the Assembly reconvened, opposition members again gathered near the Speaker's chair and continued their protest over the NDZ issue. As the situation escalated, Gaonkar summoned marshals and directed them to remove Alemayehu, DiCosta and Borkar from the House.
Following the marshals' intervention, all Congress MLAs staged a walkout in protest against the Speaker's action.
Meanwhile, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Revolutionary Goans Party MLAs continued their protest near the Speaker's chair.
Goa Forward Party MLA Vijay Sardesai, however, remained seated and did not join the protest. His decision to stay away from the confrontation reportedly drew displeasure from some members of the opposition camp.