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Faleiro government wins trust vote

The five-day-old Congress government headed by Luizinho Faleiro won the confidence vote in the Goa assembly at the end of a specially called session in Panaji today.

Though state Governor, Lieutenant General (retired) J F R Jacob, had given the chief minister 21 days to prove his majority, Faleiro chose to seek a vote of confidence in his government as early as possible, to avoid horse-trading and put an end to the growing political uncertainty in the state.

In the house of 40, the Congress mustered the support of 20 and the combined opposition, comprising the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, the Goa Rajiv Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party 19.

The four-hour long assembly session was marked by charges and counter-charges against members and political parties. The chief minister said the Congress was committed to a clean, efficient and transparent government free from corruption. He said if he found the sailing rough, he would recommend dissolution of the house and pave the way for fresh elections within three months. The next state assembly elections are scheduled in November next year.

Deputy Chief Minister Dayanand Narvekar, who rejoined the Congress last week after toppling the three-and-half-month-old Dr Wilfred de Souza government, accused the former chief minister of maintaining double standards, cliques and intrigues, to remain in power.

Dr Kashinath Jhalmi, former leader of the opposition and former law minister, former chief ministers Pratapsing Rane and de Souza participated in the debate.

After winning the confidence vote, Faleiro expanded his cabinet by inducting 12 ministers, including two independents, all of the cabinet rank.

With the induction of today's ministers, the strength of the cabinet rose to 14. Among the party legislators inducted today are ailing Deu Mandrekar, the deputy speaker and a Scheduled Caste representative from Dhargal reserved constituency in North Goa.

The 12 ministers took oath in four different languages, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi and English.

The swearing-in ceremony held on the lawns of the Raj Bhavan was attended among others by party leaders and workers besides former chief minister Pratapsinh Rane, Pradesh Congress president Shantaram Naik and Govindrao Adik, emissary of the Congress party.

The ministers who took office today are Subhash Shirodkar, Somnath Zuarkar, Domnic Fernandes, Sanjay Bandekar, Deu Mandrekar, Luis Alex Cardozo, Pandu Vassu Naik, Dr Wilfred Mesqita, Joquim Alemao, Sangeeta Parab and two independents, Voctoria Fernandes and John Manual Vaz.

The entire opposition, including the Rajiv Goa Congress, the Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party, the Bharatiya Janata Party and one independent, a total of 19 in the house of 40, boycotted the ceremony.

UNI

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