SC to hear petition for fresh floor test in Goa assembly

New Delhi, Aug 13 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear on Friday, the petitions of two MGP MLAs from Goa seeking directions for a fresh trial of strength in the state assembly after being permitted to participate in the floor test.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran adjourned the hearing after it was informed that the petitioners -- Pandurang, alias Deepak Dhawalikar and Ramakrishna, alias Sudin Dhawalikar -- had already filed their replies to Speaker Pratapsinh Rane's notice.

The court was also informed that the speaker would hear both the parties on Thursday.

The petitioners are challenging the speakers' order dated July 30, debarring them from voting during the floor test as per the governor's directions to State Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to seek a fresh vote of confidence. The direction was given following a withdrawal of support to Congress government which, according to Goa Democratic Alliance headed by BJP leader Manohar Parikar, had been reduced to a minority.

Mr Parrikar has staked claim to form a government blaiming the support of 20 MLAs in the 40-member assembly.

The petitioner contended that the speaker had played fraud on the Constitution of India by passing an ex parte order debarring them from voting to enable Kamat government to survive the trial of strength.

UNI