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Goa CM wins floor test

Last updated on: July 30, 2007 16:46 IST

Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on Monday won the floor test in the Assembly after the Speaker restrained three legislators from taking part in the vote of confidence and then he voted in favour of the Congress-led coalition.

The BJP-led Opposition staged a walkout alleging violation of the Governor's order by the ruling combine.

Two MLAs from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party Sudin Dhavlikar and Dipak Dhavlikar along with Victoria Fernandes of the Congress were restrained from taking part in the floor test by Speaker Pratapsingh Rane on petitions filed by the Congress, seeking their disqualification.

The House met at 2.30 pm to undertake the floor test as directed by Governor S C Jamir on Saturday.

Disqualification petition against the Dhavlikar duo was filed by Congress legislator Agnelo Fernandes while the plea against Victoria, the only woman MLA, was submitted by Chandrakant Kavalekar of the Congress.

Victoria had resigned from the Congress and extended support to BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance.

However, her resignation has not yet been accepted by the Speaker. The Opposition benches strongly objected to the Speaker's interim ruling on the disqualification pleas, claiming it was a clear violation of the Governor's orders.

"The Governor had directed that the floor test be conducted before taking any other business for the day," Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar of the BJP told reporters after the session.

The 49-day-old Kamat government had been reduced to a minority last week when the two-member MGP and an Independent legislator withdrew their support.

What happened earlier:

Speaker siding with the Congress: BJP

Speaker to rule on 3 MLAs before 1400 IST

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