Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Admits to Losing Composure in State Assembly
In a candid admission during the budget discussion in the Goa legislative assembly on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that he had erred by losing his cool and expressed readiness to acknowledge his mistake. The incident occurred on March 6 when a few individuals in the viewer’s gallery held placards to protest the Mirabag bandhara, prompting Sawant to react strongly.
Sawant Reflects on Unprecedented Incident and Personal Conduct
Addressing the assembly, Sawant emphasized his usual demeanor, saying, "I operate as though there is ice over my head and sugar in my mouth. I do not easily lose my cool." He highlighted his experience, having served both as the speaker and now as the chief minister, noting that such an incident had not been witnessed in the House over the past 14 years. The CM admitted that he suddenly said certain things by mistake and stressed that it should not happen, underscoring the importance of maintaining composure.
Clarification on Protesters Remark and Exchange with MLAs
Sawant clarified that in his statement, he had not labeled the protesters as terrorists. He explained that the remark came after Benaulim MLA Venzy Veigas spoke, leading him to utter those words inadvertently. During the budget discussion, Sawant referenced a project at a special school in Curchorem, suggesting that Veigas should experience the lab designed to calm down children, implying that Veigas tends to lose his composure.
In response, Veigas and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out that it was Sawant who had completely lost his composure during the protest in the assembly. This exchange highlighted the tensions and the need for restraint in legislative proceedings.
Key Points from the Assembly Discussion
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant admitted to losing his cool during a protest on March 6 over the Mirabag bandhara issue.
- He clarified that he did not call the protesters terrorists, attributing the remark to a moment of error after Veigas spoke.
- Sawant emphasized his usual calm demeanor and the rarity of such incidents in the assembly over 14 years.
- MLAs Venzy Veigas and Vijai Sardesai countered by noting Sawant's loss of composure, sparking a discussion on maintaining decorum.
- The incident underscores the challenges of handling protests and maintaining parliamentary etiquette in Goa's legislative processes.
This admission by the chief minister brings attention to the pressures faced by public officials and the importance of upholding decorum in democratic institutions, even in the face of provocation.
