Kamat may meet Sonia today

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat is likely to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi tonight to discuss the political developments in his state in the wake of his nearly two month-old government winning a vote of confidence on the floor of the state assembly on Monday.

Mr Digambar arrived here yesterday amid the efforts of the Central leadership of the party to distance itself from the developments in Goa which the Opposition BJP had dubbed as "murder of democracy," while taking serious exception to the action of the Speaker in restraining three elected members from voting on the motion seeking vote of confidence by Mr Kamat.

AICC sources said here today that Ms Gandhi had not so far given any appointment to meet Mr Kamat for today.

However, it is likely that she may meet Mr Kamat along with her Political Secretary Ahmed Patel and AICC General SEcretary in charge of party affairs in Goa Margaret Alva after she returns in the evening from Bareilly.

Mr Kamat yesterday held a 30-minute long discussion with Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

He has also sought an appointment with President Pratibha Patil.

Mr Kamat told reporters that Speaker Pratapsinh Rane had acted only in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

"The Speaker has all the right to pass an interim order," he said, justifying the action of the Chair in restraining from voting one Congress rebel MLA and two MLAs of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) which led to the passage of vote of confidence by voice vote on Monday.

Mr Kamat argued that the opposition to his government was mainly because of its action in scrapping the Regional Plan 2011 which had antagonised the "land sharks." UNI