The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Pramod Sawant on Tuesday took oath as the chief minister of Goa in a ceremony held at 2am, as the saffron party managed to keep its allies together after hectic negotiations all through the day. The deputy chief ministers are likely to be declared by the end of the day. The 45-year-old takes over from former defence minister and four-time CM of Goa Manohar Parrikar, who was cremated at the Miramar beach on Monday. With Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar’s demise on Sunday, the BJP-led alliance in Goa is now going to speed up its search for his replacement to undertake the post of the state’s chief minister. Opposition party Congress is also probable to build up staking privilege to form the government in the state.
Pramod Sawant sworn in as Goa Chief Minister
Parrikar was suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer and because of which he had been in and out of hospitals over the past year whether in Goa, Mumbai, New Delhi and even New York.
On Sunday, his health started deteriorating and an official tweet from Parrikar’s office made the confirmation of his condition a few hours before his death. The tweet stated that he was “extremely critical” and “doctors are trying their best”. But after few hours Parrikar died at his private residence.
President Ram Nath Kovind was the first one who made the announcement of Parrikar’s demise by tweeting, “Extremely sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, after an illness borne with fortitude and dignity. An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, his service to the people of Goa and of India will not be forgotten #PresidentKovind”
PM Modi congratulates Goa CM Pramod Sawant, says he will build on previous work
Manohar Parrikar was an Indian politician and leader of Bharatiya Janata Party. He was the Chief Minister of Goa from 14 March 2017 till his death. Earlier also he was designated as Chief Minister of Goa from the year 2000 to 2005 and from 2012 to 2014.
He was heading an alliance government including the BJP, MGP, Goa Forward Party and the Independents.
A senior official from State Legislature Department stated, “With CM Parrikar’s demise, the ruling coalition will have to make a fresh representation to the governor after choosing their leader. The representation will have the letter of support”. He also further added that if the governor, Mridula Sinha, is not convinced, then she will have to the single leading party to form the government.
Parrikar, who was earlier the defence minister, took an oath as Goa chief minister in the year 2017 after he won from Panaji in the same year he left the defence minister post.
BJP’s Pramod Sawant Takes Oath as Goa Chief Minister at 2am Ceremony, Deputy CMs May Be Sworn in Today
Panaji MLA Siddharth Kuncolienkar resigned on May 10, 2017 in order to let him enter into the assembly, after which the bypoll was held.
Right now, Congress is the single largest party in the state with 14 MLAs. However, on the other hand the BJP has 13 in the 40-member Goa assembly. The BJP also includes the Parrikar and its government which is supported by three MLAs each of the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtra Gomantak Party, and three Independents.
Because of the death of BJP MLA Francis D’Souza previously this year, and Parrikar on Sunday, the strength of the House has now been reduced. Also the resignations of two Congress MLAs Subhash Shirodkar and Dayanand Sopte last year lead to reduction of House Strength, which is now has been reduced to 36.
The demise of the former defence minister, who represented the Panaji assembly seat, will also require a fourth bypoll in Goa, where by-elections are planned for the Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa assembly areas on April 23. These bypolls is going to be held in the state as well as with the Lok Sabha polls.
