HOLD ASSEMBLY SESSION BEFORE ZP ELECTIONS TO GIVE CONFIDENCE TO PEOPLE AGAINST COVID-19: KHAUNTE
PORVORIM: Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte has demanded that the State government should convene fortnight-long or a month-long Assembly session before holding the deferred Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections to respose confidence in the mind of voters against the fear of getting infected by COVID-19 during the polling.
Khaunte said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should given undertaking to the people of Goa that we will shoulder the responsibility, if there is any spike in the number of cases due to ZP polling.
The Porvorim MLA recalled that he has been asking to convene Assembly session to discuss various issues including the unwarranted infrastructure projects through Mollem forest, which are permitted by the government.
“BJP government should understand the pulse of the people. The people are angry over the governance. Our demand for Assembly session has not been respected,” he said.
Khaunte alleged that BJP-led government was searching for “opportunities out of adversities.” He pointed out that the government has been indulging in election gimmicks like providing subsidised onions and distribution of goodies during Diwali, which will fetch no votes for the party.
“There is a saying that you cannot fool all the people all the time. People of Goa know it very well what is required,” he said.
Khaunte said that before declaring the dates for ZP elections, the government should convene Assembly session for either 15 days or for month so that all the MLAs will come together and instill confidence in the people that it is safe outside.
Khaunte pointed out that when government decided to resume Xth and XIIth standard classes, it decided to take undertaking from the parents that the school management will not be held responsible for spread of the virus to their wards.
“Similarly, Chief Minister should also give in writing that he is responsible, if there is spike in COVID-19, due to crowds at the polling station during ZP elections,” he said adding that more than seven lakh people are eligible to vote in these election. “I expect the government to act responsibly,” he said.