Friday, February 18 2005 14:13 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: The disqualification petition against Goa Deputy Chief Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues is likely to see a new turn today (Feb 18, 2005) after Speaker Vishwas Satarkar summoned the MLA before him to verify his signature on documents presented by the petitioner.

Satarkar had summoned Neri to the hearing last evening (Feb 17, 2005) but his lawyer claimed that he had been unable to contact his client and asked for time.

The hearing has now been fixed for 16:30 hrs (IST) today and Neri has been asked to appear in person.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Sadanand Shet Tanawde had filed a disqualification petition against Neri, stating that the latter had joined the party in 2002 and hence could not qualify as an independent MLA and switch parties. The petitioner also produced documents purportedly having Neri's signature on a membership form of the BJP.

Neri, however, refuted these claims and in turn filed a complaint at the Porvorim police station stating that the signature on the form was not his and charged BJP general secretary Satish Dhond of forging it.

At the hearing yesterday, the Speaker summoned both Neri and Tanawde to appear before him in person, but when Neri failed to do so, the hearing was fixed for this afternoon and his lawyer was asked to ensure that his client appeared this time.