Goa Congress Criticizes BJP Over Session Curtailment

The Goa Congress accused the BJP state government of curtailing the budget session to avoid accountability, coinciding with the enforcement of the election Model Code of Conduct. The Congress criticized the government for the perceived mismanagement of resources and lack of accountability, highlighting economic and social issues affecting Goans.

In a bold move, the Goa Congress launched a blistering critique against the BJP-led state government, claiming it used the election Model Code of Conduct as a smokescreen to slash the budget session's duration, thus denying Goans their due accountability. The budget session aimed to proceed until March 27, was unexpectedly truncated following the Code's enforcement due to the April 9 bypoll for Ponda's assembly seat, vacant after BJP MLA Ravi Naik's recent passing.

During a press briefing, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee leaders, including Tulio D'Souza and Sunil Kawthankar, accused the government of evading the Opposition's scrutiny. They argued that the session's abrupt end silenced vital public discussions and was a tactic to pass the budget without addressing critical issues.

The Congress also spotlighted additional grievances, such as the denial of postgraduate medical seat reservations for the OBC community, questioning the Chief Minister's assertions about Goa's Happiness Index, and critiquing the government's financial mismanagement. They concluded by urging the protection of traditional taxi drivers' interests against aggregator guidelines.

(With inputs from agencies.)