Panaji: Pramod Sawant, the former Speaker, is the new Chief Minister of Goa. He assumes the post after the death of Manohar Parrikar. Two Deputy CMs were also sworn in, each from the two allies supporting the BJP in the Assembly.
The deputy chief ministers are Vijai Sardesai from the Goa Forward Party and Sudin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party.
Along with them nine other ministers have also been sworn in.
An Ayurveda practitioner by profession, Pramod Sawant represents the Sanquelim constituency.
Pramod Sawant told that his party has given him a huge responsibility. While giving Manohar Parrikar all the credit for this, he said, “Whatever I am today is all due to Manohar Parrikar. It was he who brought me to politics. I became the Speaker and the CM today, due to him.”
Though, the Congress tried to stake claim before the death of Manohar Parrikar they could not manage to garner the required number of MLAs to form a government.
The 45-year old Pramod Sawant said he is confident of facing the floor tomorrow. The BJP has 12 legislatures and has the support of 3 MLAs of Goa Forward Party and 3 MLAs of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. In addition, the new government also has the support of 3 independents in the assembly.
Pramod Sawant said, “We are going for the floor test tomorrow. There is no problem in that. There will be two depupty CMs in this government – Vijay Sardesai and Sudin Dhavalikar. And I request all the people to not congratulate me or welcome me with flowers during the 7-day mourning period.”
Goa has a 40 member Assembly with currently 4 seats lying vacant due to two deaths, including Manohar Parrikar’s, and the resignation of another two. By-polls for these seats are scheduled for April 23.
