Government firmly in the saddle, says Goa CM

Panaji, Aug 6 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today maintained that his government is firmly in the saddle even as the Supreme Court today served notices on the government and the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly in response to the petitions challenging the Speaker's decision restraining two MGP legislators from participating in the crucial vote of confidence on July 30.

Talking to mediapersons after chairing the Cabinet meeting, first after he survived the trial of strength, the Chief Minister however refused to comment on the court case and the strength of his government which took over reins on June 8 last.

Mr Kamat had further brushed aside the suggestion of the opposition Goa Democratic Alliance(GDA) that the government should desist from taking any ''policy decisions'' pending the Supreme Court verdict on the alleged ''partisan'' role of the Speaker in the House.

The Kamat government survived the ''trial of strength'' with the speaker Pratapsingh Rane ''restraining'' two MGP legislators and the Congress rebel member Victoria Fernandes from voting in response to two disqualification petitions filed by the Congress members.

While the Speaker was directed by the Governor to take up the issue of vote of confidence as the House met on July 30, the former had announced his order on the disqualification petitions first and later directed the CM to move the motion of vote of confidence which Mr Kamat won by voice vote in the ensuing melee.

The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Speaker and the government to send their replies by coming Monday when it resumes hearing of the petitions filed by the 2 MGP legislators -- Ramakrishna Dhavlikar and his brother Deepak Dhavlikar -- challenging the July 30 order of the Speaker.

UNI