Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Jul 25:  The Congress party is exploring the possibility of filing disqualification petition against their own legislator Victoria Fernandes for defying a whip.

Fernandes, lone woman legislator in the 40-member state legislative assembly, remained absent in the house during voting on the finance bill.

``We will take action in consultation with the high command,’’ Congress legislator and deputy speaker Mauvin Godinho told reporters here.

The lone female legislator had resorted to hunger strike a little before swearing-in of ministers in Digamber Kamat cabinet demanding ministerial berth to her. She had later withdrawn the strike after assurance of parliamentary secretary post for her from the chief minister.

The chief minister had later inducted her as a parliamentary secretary.

Fernandes’ name surfaced again on Tuesday when a few Congress legislators threatened to rebel against the chief minister.

The chief minister, when contacted, did not rule out the possibility of disqualification petition against Fernandes for defying the whip. ``You can check with the speaker… I don’t think any petition is filed today,’’ Kamat said replying to reporters.