Opposition MLAs in Goa boycott Om Birla’s speech

Panaji (IANS) | Opposition parties in Goa on Thursday boycotted Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s keynote address in the Assembly over ‘Developed India 2047: Role of elected representatives’. Speaking to reporters, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said that the ruling party should not take the opposition lightly. Alemao said that we have distanced ourselves from attending the ceremony because the legislators were not taken into confidence. It is a democratic process. Opposition plays an important role and we cannot be taken lightly.

He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also treated in the same way and was disqualified after the High Court’s decision. No justice was given to them. He was disqualified within a day. This is dictatorship. We condemn it and that’s why we boycotted.

He alleged that the BJP was trying to suppress the voice of the opposition and cut short the assembly sessions. AAP MLA Venji Vigas said he boycotted because the government has failed to give justice to wrestlers and churches have been burnt in Manipur.

We also boycotted because the assurances given by the ministers were never fulfilled, he said.

During a candlelight protest in South Goa, Venjie Vegas demanded action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexually assaulting young wrestlers, including a minor .

The opposition has seven legislators in the 40-member assembly, including three from the Congress, two from the AAP, one each from the Goa Forward and the Revolutionary Goa Party.

–IANS