In a late-night ceremony, BJP leader Pramod Sawant was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Goa.
In addition, 11 other leaders, who were part of erstwhile Goa Cabinet, including Sudhin Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Vijay Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party (GFP), and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane, to name a few, took oath as Cabinet ministers.
The oath was administered by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan in the wee hours of Tuesday. Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari was also present at the ceremony.
Speaking to ANI after taking oath as chief minister, Sawant said his aim is to complete the projects that were initiated under Parrikar’s leadership.
“I have taken oath as Chief Minister today. I feel we must proceed together with the support of the allies. The aim is to complete all the work that had begun under Manohar Parrikar’s government. I may not be able to perform as well as him (Parrikar), but I will try my best,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s post went vacant following the death of Parrikar on Sunday evening after a prolonged illness.
43-year-old Sawant represents Sanquelim assembly constituency. His wife, Sulakshana Sawant is the president of the women’s wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa.
Goa Assembly has a strength of 40 members with four seats lying vacant due to deaths of two legislators, including Parrikar and resignation of two others. The by-polls on the three seats are scheduled to take place on April 23.
CM asks BJP workers to refrain from presenting him with bouquets
After being sworn-in as the Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Tuesday asked his friends and BJP workers to refrain from presenting him with bouquets in view of the state mourning declared as a mark of respect to lateChief Minister Manohar Parrikar whom he described as his “idol and mentor”.
63-year-old Parrikar died on Sunday evening after a prolonged battle against cancer and a seven-day state mourning in Goa was declared the next day.
In a Facebook post, Sawant said, “I have taken charge as Chief Minister with utmost humility and sense of gratitude towards my idol and mentor Manoharbhai. However the state mourning continues and hence I appeal to all my friends, family and karyakartas to refrain from presenting me with bouquets and greetings. Rather I look forward to your blessings and support in carrying ahead the glorious legacy of commitment towards good governance! Jai Hind!”
(Source: ANI)
