Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Jan 16: Even as political crisis loomed large over Digamber Kamat-led government, the state assembly session was adjourned on Wednesday January 16 half way without taking the financial business listed for the rest part of the day. 

Kamat-led government has been facing serious crisis in the state after few ministers and legislators expressing their unhappiness over the functioning of the government. It was anticipated that NCP, which is the second largest party in the coalition, would also cross vote against the bill. 

The main opposition party BJP demanded that Governor S C Jamir should dismiss Digamber Kamat-led government as they failed to prove their majority on the floor of the house. 

Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar, briefing press persons after adjournment, said that the government is illegal and it is running without majority. 

Interestingly, the Kamat government managed to scuttle any possible crisis with the adjournment. 

Sources had confirmed that few ministers and legislators within government along with the opposition benches had decided to defeat the state government on the floor of the house by defeating the Goa Appropriation Bill 2008 scheduled to be placed on the floor of he house on Wednesday. 

It was expected that the bill would not be passed in the 40-seat legislative assembly which has 16 Congress, 14 BJP, three NCP, two each from Save Goa Front and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party, two independents and a united Goans democratic party (UGDP) legislator. 

Although Kamat government rules with the support of 25 legislators except BJP and an independent, it faced severe crisis with more than seven legislators deciding to vote against the bill. 

Incidentally, the state witnessed a major road accident killing 12 people on the spot. The accident which occurred in Pernem taluka was also mentioned on the floor of the house. 

As the assembly reassembled after tea break, chief minister Digamber Kamat sought adjournment of the house as he along with the cabinet colleagues had to rush to the accident site. 

"I have received calls also from central ministers about the accident…Since there is urgency, I have to rush to the site," Kamat told the house.

Speaker Pratapsingh Rane adjourned the house till 2.30 pm on Thursday January 17.

After the adjournment, BJP took strong objection to the government's move to avoid financial bill to be tabled on the house. "I see no reasons why government was avoiding the voting. This clearly means that they do not enjoy support which makes clear case for dismissal of the government," Parrikar told reporters. 

He said that the party would demand before the Governor either to dismiss the government or ask them to prove their majority on the floor of the house when session assembles on Thursday.