PANAJI: Goa’s long-anticipated cabinet reshuffle is finally set in motion with Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira announcing to tender his resignation from Pramod Sawant led cabinet today evening, citing personal reasons.
Following Sequeira's resignation, two cabinet berths will fall vacant. One had fallen vacant after Sawant dropped Minister Govind Gaude on June 18.
Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat are set to fill these vacant positions. The swearing-in is expected anytime this week.
According to the sources, Tawadkar will resign from the post of Speaker on Thursday.
Sources indicate that the swearing-in could take place after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant returns from Delhi.
Meanwhile, Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar will be elevated to the post of Speaker. The decision was taken during the recently held party meeting.
Until last week, Chief Minister Sawant had maintained silence on the reshuffle, saying only, “What has to happen will happen.”
However, BJP State President Damodar Naik had hinted that a reshuffle was likely before Ganesh Chaturthi. Both leaders were in Delhi recently, where they held a series of meetings with senior BJP leadership.
The reshuffle comes amid months of internal discussions within the BJP, focusing on ministerial performance, regional representation, and preparations for the upcoming local body elections. Tawadkar had earlier expressed readiness to take on any responsibility assigned by the party.
Sequeira, who joined the BJP in September 2022 as part of a group of eight Congress MLAs, was inducted into the cabinet in November 2023.
