Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has criticized the Goa government for refusing to allow a detailed discussion in the Legislative Assembly on the tragic Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire, while prioritizing a special debate on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. The issue sparked heated exchanges during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting ahead of the winter session of the Assembly.
Alemao said the Birch fire, which claimed 25 lives in Arpora, along with issues such as law and order, environmental destruction, and public safety, deserved urgent discussion in the House. He accused the government of ignoring pressing concerns affecting Goans and demanded accountability for the tragedy.
The Opposition, including members from the Congress, AAP, and Goa Forward Party, expressed disappointment over the Speaker’s decision to permit a special discussion on Vande Mataram while declining requests for debates on the nightclub fire and other matters. Opposition MLAs argued that victims’ families and the public were seeking answers regarding the circumstances that led to the disaster.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant defended the decision, stating that the discussion on Vande Mataram was approved to commemorate 150 years of the national song. However, Alemao maintained that the government was attempting to divert attention from critical governance and safety issues that required immediate scrutiny.
The five-day winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin on January 12, with the Opposition vowing to raise the Birch fire tragedy and other public concerns during the proceedings.
