Pramod Sawant takes oath as new Chief Minister of Goa, 11 ministers sworn-in
New Goa CM Pramod Sawant Swearing-In LIVE Updates: Pramod Sawant is the new chief minister of the state following the death of Manohar Parrikar. By Express Web Desk |New Delhi | Updated: March 19, 2019 2:58:32 am 305 Shares New Goa CM Pramod Sawant Swearing-In LIVE Updates: Pramod Sawant took the oath as the new chief minister of Goa. Sawant succeeds Manohar Parrikar who died on Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer for a year. A two-time MLA representing Sanquelim constituency, Sawant is among the few leaders in the BJP groomed by Parrikar himself. Late Monday night, twelve ministers took oath in the new cabinet, including Sawant. The new government has two deputy chief ministers, Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar, from the two small parties backing BJP in the coastal state. Pramod Sawant, 45, has a Bachelor's degree in Ayurvedic Medicine from the Ganga Aruvedic Medical College in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district and was practising doctor of alternative medicine. He has also completed his Masters in Social Welfare from the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, and is known for his associations in youth networks. Remembering Manohar Parrikar, Pramod Sawant before the swearing-in ceremony 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. "The Party has given me a huge responsibility, I will try my best to carry it out in the best possible manner," he added. Live Blog Pramod Sawant succeeds Manohar Parrikar as Goa's new chief minister. Get latest updates here. 02:58 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 Whatever time is needed I will give for Goa: CM Pramod Sawant Goa Chief Minister 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. 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 work he had done is big and while explaining work I always do it in two ways, human development and infrastructure development. When one speaks of human development he did a lot of work for youth, people and for the social sector with schemes which he conceived. He started the Investment Promotion Board. Along with that he also started infrastructure work throughout the state, bridges, Mopa international airport. I will ensure that the works which have been targetted will be completed. Whatever time is needed I will give for Goa. I and my associates will work on the principle of Antodaya, to reach out to the last person in society. When asked about the state of mining in Goa, newly sworn CM said, "I will not respond to all questions now. I will speak after taking charge. Portfolio distribution will be done in eight days. I will do it as soon as possible". 02:48 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 Returned to this coalition in the memory of Manohar Parrikar: Vijai Sardesai The coalition is to ensure stability. We have returned to this coalition in the memory of Manohar Parrikar. We moved fast in the interest of democracy. If we hadn't, the model code of conduct and things would have moved in and it would also have pushed to suspended animation. 02:48 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 We will be given our main portfolios: Nilesh Cabral When the politicians are there. The number of years you spend as an MLA does not make you senior. Every time you get elected you are a five-year term. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues with us or in the alliance partners were expected something else better. That is what delayed the whole thing. I don't know. I have not been told. I believe it is the same thing as two days back. Tomorrow morning they will give (portfolios). We will be given our main portfolios: Nilesh Cabral 02:41 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 The sense of responsibility we feel right now is greater: Sulakshana Sawant, Wife of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant It is a day of mixed emotions for us. We have lost one of our greatest leaders Manohar Parrikar who was like a father to us. But only because of his blessings and guidance this could have happened. More than the joy, the sense of great responsibility we feel right now is greater, says Sulakshana Sawant, Wife of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Sulochana is the Manila wing president of BJP for the state of Goa. 02:03 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 BJP's Pramod Sawant is new Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant takes oath as new Chief Minister of Goa, 11 ministers sworn-in. Sawant, 45, Bachelor's degree in Ayurvedic Medicine from the Ganga Aruvedic Medical College in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district and was practising doctor of alternative medicine. He has also completed his Masters in Social Welfare from the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, and is known for his associations in youth networks. The 11 others who took the oath as ministers are, Sudin Dhavlikar, Vijai Sardesai, Manohar Azgaonkar, Rohan Khaunte, Govind Gaude, Vinod Palienkar, Jayesh Salgaonkar, Mauvin Godinho, Vishwajit Rane, Milind Naik, Nilesh Cabral. This makes it a 12 member cabinet including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Michael Lobo, currently the deputy speaker will be speaker till the new speaker is elected. 01:02 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 Whatever I am today is all due to Manohar Parrikar: Pramod Sawant Remembering Manohar Parrikar, soon to be Goa's new CM, Pramod Sawant, says, "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." The Party has given me a huge responsibility, I will try my best to carry it out in the best possible manner said Pramod Sawant, as quoted by ANI. 01:01 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 Congress: Governor Mridula Sinha "agent of BJP" Even as the BJP and allies are inside Darbar Hall at Raj Bhawan, staking claim to form the government, expressing disappointment, Sunil Kawthankar, Goa Congress says the party 'strongly condemns undemocratic action' of Goa Governor Mridula Sinha for not allowing Congress to form the government. "We're strongly condemning undemocratic action of Goa Governor Mridula Sinha for not allowing our single largest party to form the govt and allowing BJP to carry on horse trading despite BJP not having sufficient numbers to form the govt," he said as quoted by ANI Calling Goa Governor Mridula Sinha an "agent of BJP", Kawthankar said the day will be remembered as "darkest day in Indian democracy." The state is without legitimate govt despite Congress party being the single largest & staking claim to form govt, he added. 00:08 (IST) 19 Mar 2019 BJP and allies enter gates of Raj Bhavan BJP and allies enter gates of Raj Bhavan to stake claim government. Nitin Gadkari is also at Raj Bhawan to oversee the development. The BJP party has staked a claim with the support of 3 MGP, 3 Goa Forward and 2 independents. 23:30 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 "MGP together and fully with BJP" With Sudin Dhavlikar back at Cidade de Goa, Vinay Tendulkar says, "MGP together and fully with BJP. Reports that the party is split are fake rumours. Just because two MLAs are in a hotel does not mean they are merging." 23:22 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 Vijai Sardesai hasn't given his letter of support to BJP The officials have started to move into Raj Bhavan. Supporters of Pramod Sawant are waiting outside Raj Bhavan gates in good numbers. Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party walks in again at Cidade de Goa. Says he hasn't given his letter of support to BJP. Gates of Raj Bhavan remain shut even as karyakartas arrive in huge numbers. 22:52 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 Who is Pramod Sawant Pramod Sawant, the current Speaker of the state legislature, will be sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Goa following the death of Manohar Parrikar. A two-time MLA representing Sanquelim constituency, Sawant is among the few leaders in the BJP groomed by Parrikar himself. READ MORE 22:24 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 MGP's Sudin Dhavalikar reaches Cidade de Goa MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar arrives at Cidade de Goa. 22:18 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 Congress visits Raj Bhavan to stake claim Earlier in the day, Congress had visited the Raj Bhavan to stake claim. Claiming that the Congress is the "single-largest party" in Goa, the party asked Governor Mridula Sinha to "dismiss the ruling BJP." "We do not have an appointment, but she is refusing to give us time. But despite that, we have arrived here to meet the Governor to stake our claim. It is our right as a single largest party in the Goa assembly," Goa Congress chief Chandrakant Kavlekar had said. The party later met the Governor and submitted a letter to her. 22:05 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 BJP, allies to stake claim after CM selection: Amit Shah BJP president Amit Shah had earlier said that his party was holding discussions with its allies in Goa to decide the new chief minister and will soon meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government. Shah was in Goa to attend the funeral of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The BJP chief also met local party leaders in a star hotel in Panaji along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. "The process to form new government will continue now. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari is here. We are in discussion with both the coalition parties (GFP and MGP) and also independent MLAs," Shah had said. 22:01 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 Goa to have two deputy CMs As per the power-sharing arrangement reached with allies, an MLA each from two small parties backing BJP in the coastal state will be made deputy chief minister. They are Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLA Sudin Dhavalikar. 21:59 (IST) 18 Mar 2019 Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant to take oath as next CM tonight Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant is set to be the next chief minister and is scheduled to take oath at 11 pm on Monday. Sawant will succeed Manohar Parrikar who died on Sunday after battling pancreatic cancer for a year. After the overnight meeting to find the fresh face in Goa reached a deadlock, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari held several rounds of talks with BJP leaders and alliance partner Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to discuss Manohar Parrikar's successor in Goa. After the meeting, Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar said, "The decision on a chief ministerial candidate is yet to be taken. But the picture will be clear by 2 pm." He also added that the new chief minister would be sworn in after 3 pm today. While Rane attended the meeting with Gadkari, Sawant was not present in it, reported PTI. The Congress, meanwhile, reached Raj Bhavan to stake the claim. Claiming that the Congress is the "single-largest party" in Goa, the party asked Governor Mridula Sinha to "dismiss the ruling BJP." "We do not have an appointment, because she is refusing to give us time. But despite that, we have arrived here to meet the Governor to stake our claim. It is our right as a single largest party in the Goa assembly," Goa Congress chief Chandrakant Kavlekar said. The party later met the Governor and submitted a letter to her. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pramod-sawant-goa-chief-minister-manohar-parrikar-bjp-congress-governor-swearing-in-live-updates-5632692/