http://www.ndtv.com/topstories/showtopstory.asp?slug=Goa+Speaker+resigns%2C+sparks+latest+crisis&id=16393
NDTV Correspondent Monday, February 28, 2005 (Panaji): It was the latest political manoeuvre by the BJP on Monday which turned the tables on the Congress in Goa. Minutes before the vote of confidence was to take place, suddenly the Speaker Vishwas Satarkar, a BJP MLA, resigned and adjourned the House creating a tie in a contest the Congress was set to win. Numbers game Now both parties have 17 MLAs each and there seems to be a constitutional crisis. The Governor has to either appoint an interim Speaker, who will not have a vote or dissolve the House ï which will suit the BJP. "Pratap Singh Rane's government should be dismissed because now we are in the same situation as we were when we were dismissed," said Manohar Parrikar, former Chief Minister, Goa. The strategy is believed be the brainchild of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan who has been in Goa over the past weekend. Political drama Stumped by the developments, the Congress is demanding that the House to be reconvened and a pro-tem Speaker from the Congress party be elected. The calculation is the pro-tem Speaker will then disqualify UGDP member Mathani Saldhana who went with the BJP against the party whip. "Some disqualification could also take place from their side," said Pratap Singh Rane, Chief Minister, Goa. Goa's infamous for its defection politics and topple game and after the BJP's latest moves, it's clear that Goa's political crisis is far from over. Comment: The BJP are liars - giving credit to Pramod Mahajan for this latest move. I wrote on Goanet on !st Feb under the subject heading ' Governor thorws down the book' Quote Comment: What happens if the speaker resigns his position as speaker of the House? Unquote. Give credit where credit is due! -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England
