Pramod Sawant elected speaker of Goa assembly

Pramod Sawant, BJP MLA from Sanquelim, was elected as the speaker of the Goa legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Sawant got the support of 20 members of the house, including from allies Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa Forward Party and Independent MLAs.

Congress candidate for the post, Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco, an MLA from Curtorim, could manage only 15 votes.

Churchill Alemao, NCP MLA from Benaulim, chose not to support any of the candidates.

Also, while Vishwajit Rane of Valpoi constituency was absent from the assembly following his resignation from the assembly and Congress, Nilesh Cabral of BJP reached the assembly hall late and was therefore not able to take part in the voting.

“I will ensure that I fulfil the duties and responsibilities which come with this chair,” Sawant said after his election to the post. “I will also remain impartial as a Speaker and will ensure that the proceedings of the house are carried out in order.”

Congress’s Babu Kavlekar and Ravi Nayak congratulated him. The party’s Luizhino Faleiro also extended his wishes to the speaker, post which the house was adjourned.

‘Zero Tolerance Towards Crimes Against Women And Children’

Speaking to the media after the assembly was adjourned, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said that the budget which is going to be presented on Friday will ensure that it has something for all the Goans.

“The spirit of ‘goemkarponn’ will be maintained in the budget. We will ensure that the voters do not feel dejected by the budget,” said Parrikar.

When asked about the recent rape and murder of a British-Irish woman in Canacona, Parrikar said, “We are not going to tolerate any kind of injustice or crimes against women and children.”

“We want Goa to be a safe place so that women can walk free even in the night without any kind of fear in their mind,” he said.