Could reconsider plaint if Reginald expresses regret: Arlekar

Goa Speaker Rajendra Arlekar today told the Legislative Assembly that he could consider withdrawal of the complaint he has moved against Congress legislator Aleixo Reginald with the Privilege Committee if the latter expresses "regret" over his comments.
"I am ready to reconsider if he (Reginald) feels he has committed a mistake and expresses regret by visiting me in my cabin," Arlekar said.
He was reacting to the request of the Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane who urged the Speaker to withdraw the matter against the Congress legislator and pardon him.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, Reginald reportedly termed Arlekar as biased.

"I would request the Speaker to reconsider the harsh punishment (of referring the matter to privilege committee) given to the legislator. Sometimes, statements by legislators are misinterpreted by media," Rane said.
Another Congress legislator, Mauvin Godinho claimed that "Reginald did not mean to doubt the integrity of the Speaker. Our earnest request is that you defer the matter from being referred to the privilege committee...He had no intention of hurting you".
The Legislative Assembly session, which began yesterday, will culminate on October 18.