NCP wants Goa Legislative Assembly speaker to step down pending probe against him

PANAJI: NCP's Goa unit today demanded that Legislative Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar should step down in view of the inquiry against him by anti-corruption bureau.

A delegation headed by NCP Goa chief Nilkant Halarnkar met Governor B V Wanchoo with their demand.

"If Arlekar continues to be chairing as the Speaker, there cannot be free and fair investigations by the ACB," party's local unit chief spokesman Trojano D'mello told reporters here today.

Social activist Aires Rodrigues had earlier filed a complaint against Arlekar accusing him of having disproportionate assets in connection with purchase of a plot of land.

"The dignity of the House is at stake. And he cannot conduct the Assembly proceedings," D'mello said. The Speaker has already begun using his powers by asking the government to file complaint against Rodrigues, he alleged. Arlekar had on Monday rubbished allegations levelled against him terming them as "malicious." He had also said that the money used to purchase the plot was properly accounted.