Monday, February 28 2005 14:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: In a surprise move, Goa Assembly Speaker Vishwas Satarkar and his deputy Narhari Haldankar today (Feb 28, 2005) announced their resignation from their posts as the house met to take up the confidence vote in the Rane Ministry.

The Goa Assembly has been adjourned sine die before Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane could move the vote of confidence in the house.

As the House assembled, Speaker Vishwas Satarkar announced the resignation of BJP MLA Digambar Kamat and the dismissal of independent MLA Filip Neri Rodrigues.

After informing the house of the resignation of deputy Speaker Haldankar, Satarkar said, "I have another important announcement to make."

The Speaker said that he was hurt by the accusations levelled against him in the wake of the dismissal of the BJP-led Manohar Parrikar Government and has decided to resign.