Claim it was designed to derail Question Hour
The government’s decision to move a privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa was labelled a strategic ploy by opposition leaders.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
MAPUSA
The opposition on Monday accused the Goa government of orchestrating a planned disruption in the Legislative Assembly to avoid scrutiny over the New Education Policy (NEP).
The government’s decision to move a privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa was labelled a strategic ploy by opposition leaders, who claimed it was designed to derail the Question Hour and prevent exposure on contentious issues.
For the first time, the treasury benches disrupted proceedings – an act typically associated with the opposition. The ruling MLAs came prepared with placards, a move that opposition members argued revealed their true intentions.
"It was a clear attempt by the government to dodge difficult questions where they would have been exposed," asserted Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardessai.
Addressing the media alongside Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira, Sardessai said there had been considerable behind-the-scenes activity to ensure the NEP question did not arise during the Question Hour.
Sardessai criticised the government's introduction of the NEP as dishonest and poorly planned.
He also highlighted that the opposition intended to address the recent power tariff hike, arguing for its rollback in the public's interest.
"There is a procedure to move a privilege motion, and the manner in which the ruling MLAs raised the issue clearly exposes their intention," Sardessai added.
Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira described the disruption of the Question Hour as a "planned conspiracy" to derail the morning session, allowing the government to avoid tough questions.
Ferreira emphasised that the opposition, particularly himself, was prepared to challenge the government's flawed approach to implementing the NEP.
"People are not opposed to the NEP itself but to the rushed and unprepared manner of its implementation," Ferreira stated.
He criticised the government's approach as "completely flawed and incorrect," and mentioned that many parents, students, and institutional heads had voiced concerns to him.
Ferreira also called out Education Secretary Prasad Lolienkar, whose interview he said exposed ignorance about the policy.
"There were backroom manoeuvres to stop this discussion in the House," Ferreira alleged.
"I am ready to stand alone against the entire education department on any platform and expose their misdirection and dishonest approach, topic by topic," he added.
