Goa Halts Assembly Session After Bypoll Code as House Clears Budget by Voice Vote

Congress leaders now accuse the BJP government of using election rules to avoid debate on the budget.

Overview

The Election Commission scheduled the Ponda bypoll for April 9 after BJP MLA Ravi Naik’s death, triggering the Model Code of Conduct in Goa.
State Protocol Minister Mauvin Godinho’s motion to suspend the ongoing session passed by voice vote over Opposition objections.
The government passed the 2026–27 budget of Rs 30,194 crore without full discussion, with Opposition MLAs protesting and some removed from the House, according to local reports.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government would seek the Election Commission’s view on the session and defended the move, citing limited time before further municipal polls.
Opposition figures alleged the curtailment denied accountability, urged a vote-on-account, and raised fiscal concerns including a claimed debt of Rs 35,312 crore and a higher debt-to-GSDP ratio.