Goa Speaker dismisses disqualification petition

Panaji, Feb 03 (IBNS) Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Pratapsing Rane Friday dismissed the disqualification petition against two senior Congress legislators filed by controversial ex-minister Francisco Pacheco under the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution.

Nearly four years back, Pacheco had filed the petition against PWD minister Churchill Alemao and Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco for joining Congress without merging their political outfit Save Goa Front (SGF).

The former tourism minister, in May 2011 had revived the petition after the Joint Electoral Officer of Goa notified SGF as a recognized party having aeroplane as its symbol.

Rane dismissed the petition stating that none of the two legislators violated the Indian Constitution.

"More than three-forth of the legislators switch over to another party. It does not amount to violation of section four of tenth schedule .I have no concern for what SGF members are feeling about their resignation," he is quoted as saying.

Alemao has quit Congress in 2007 and floated SGF party. He eventually rejoined Congress after claiming he had merged SGF with the Congress.

(Reporting by John Edwards)