Panaji, Aug 13 (TOI): The no-confidence motion moved by the Congress, Goa Vikas Party (GVP) and three independent legislators against the Laxmikant Parsekar-led government was defeated by 11 votes even as the opposition slammed the government for not fulfilling promises made to the people in the 2012 polls.

It was a smooth sailing for the government as far as votes were concerned. As the motion was put to vote by speaker Anant Shet, the chief minister sought division of votes. As many as 25 members voted against the motion while 14 in favour. In the House of 40, BJP has 21 MLAs. The BJP has support of MGP, which has three MLAs and two independent legislators.

The eight Congress MLAs, unattached legislator Atanasio Monseratte, three independent legislators, Vijai Sardesai, Naresh Sawal and Rohan Khaunte, and GVP MLAs, Francisco Pacheco and Caitu Silva, voted in favour of the motion.

Earlier, speaking in favour of the motion, leader of opposition Pratapsingh Rane said, "This government is anti-Goan. It is subservient to dictates from Delhi. Corruption is rising and government's promises have remained unfulfilled."

Promise to pay unemployment allowance, scrapping of old regional plan (RP) and preparing a new one with people's participation, employment generation, etc, were some of the tall promises made by BJP to the electorate in the March 2012 assembly polls, which Rane listed.

Former chief minister Digambar Kamat also slammed the government over the RP. "Why didn't you rectify RP from day one? You are harassing people," said Kamat, referring to the four-and-a-half year delay by the government in notifying the RP.

Pacheco chided the government over its non-action against bigwigs involved in the mining scam. "While in the opposition you begged people to elect you to power. You talked about a Rs 35,000 crore mining scam, but after coming power you couldn't even unearth 5% of that which was looted from Goa," Pacheco said, while speaking in favour of the motion.

Congress MLA from Cumbharjua Pandurang Madkaikar lambasted the government saying it has cheated people.
Sardesai, Khaunte and Sawal were also highly critical of the government.

Opposition MLA Mauvin Godinho, who voted in favour of the motion, without taking names, said there is no need to rake up the language issue. "With an eye on elections, they want to create a rift among people," Godinho said.

The voting took place around 6.45pm on Friday, the concluding day of the monsoon session after chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar rubbished the opposition's charges of corruption and non-fulfilment of election assurances.

In his 12-minute speech Parsekar took a dig at the opposition saying there was no need for a no-confidence motion. "He (leader of opposition) may not trust us, but we trust him," said Parsekar.
PWD minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, MLAs Vishnu Surya Wagh, Sidharth Kuncalienker and Kiran Kandolkar also spoke against the motion, refuting charges made by the opposition.

At the end of the two-week monsoon session, the house was adjourned sine die.