BJP's Pramod Sawant sworn in as Goa CM at 2am
Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of the state to succeed Manohar Parrikar reportedly in a "hasty, post-midnight ceremony". The 45-year-old BJP leader took oath as the Chief Minister at 2 am, following discussions and negotiations between BJP and its allies GFP, MGP, and independents. Sawant was sworn in along with 11 cabinet ministers. Here's more.
Goa to have two Deputy Chief Ministers
BJP had received support from the allies after the party assured that Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leader Sudin Dhavalikar would be made the Deputy Chief Ministers of Goa.
Pramod Sawant takes oath as the new Chief Minister
Sardesai and Dhavalikar initially demanded the Chief Minister's post
It is reportedly for the first time that Goa will have two Deputy Chief Ministers, Sardesai and Dhavalikar, who initially demanded the CM's post. However, negotiations between BJP and its allies were resolved after BJP President Amit Shah, who was there in Goa to attend Parrikar's funeral, reportedly stepped in. Two MLAs of the MGP had also joined the BJP.
BJP now has majority of 20 in Goa Assembly
BJP now has 14 lawmakers and has a majority of 20 members in the 36-member Goa Assembly after the two MGP members joined the party. The Congress, which earlier staked claim to form the government in the state, as it was the "single largest party", now has only 15 lawmakers, including one NCP member. Four seats, including Manohar Parrikar's, are vacant.
'Will not be able to work as much as Parrikar'
Meanwhile, after taking oath as the new CM, Pramod Sawant said he will "take forward" his predecessor Manohar Parrikar's legacy but also admitted there was a "big responsibility" on his shoulders. "I will not be able to work as much as Manohar Parrikar ji but I will definitely try to work as much as possible," the new Goa Chief Minister said.
Have to provide stability, move ahead together with allies: Sawant
Manohar Parrikar was a visionary leader: Pramod Sawant
"Parrikar is not amongst us now and the responsibility has been given collectively to me by my party, alliance partners and independent MLAs," Pramod Sawant, who is an ayurvedic doctor, said. "This is a big responsibility. Manohar Parrikar was a visionary leader and he had carried out a great body of work for the state," the former Goa Assembly Speaker said.
Will work on the principle of 'Antyodaya', says Sawant
"Whatever time is needed, I will give for Goa. I and my associates will work on the principle of 'Antyodaya,' to reach out to the last person...," Sawant said. He said Parrikar worked a lot "for the youth, people, and in the social sector through the schemes he conceived." The former Defense Minister died Sunday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer at 63.
