MARGAO
It was October 5, 2019. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his Cabinet had all descended on Raia in Curtorim, the constituency represented by Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco.
Reason: Reginaldo had hosted a get-together to celebrate his 50th birthday and the Chief Minister with his ministerial colleagues and party MLAs all partook in the celebrations.
In fact, the ruling party stole the limelight at Reginaldo’s birthday celebrations, not just by their presence, but they all showered praises and blessings on the young Congress MLA.
That’s not all. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant went to the extent of announcing that Reginaldo will get a big position, whichever political side he may be in the future, while Waste Management Minister, Michael Lobo, was categorical in saying that Reginaldo will surely be a part of the ruling side and become a deputy Chief Minister next time around.
The Chief Minister went to the extent of saying that the presence of the BJP ministers and MLAs at Reginaldo’s birthday only goes to show the love and affection they have for the Congress MLA.
Exactly two years and half down the line, Pramod Sawant is heading the BJP-led government once again and Reginaldo Lourenco has won from Curtorim as an Independent.
Many an ardent supporter of the four-time Curtorim MLA earnestly believed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant would induct Reginaldo in his team given the close rapport the duo shares with each other.
When the Chief Minister assumed office earlier this month, Reginaldo did not figure in the Cabinet despite being the first Independent to extend support to the ruling party. The Chief Minister had his Cabinet expansion on Saturday, and the Curtorim Independent MLA has missed the bus yet again, throwing up questions on Reginaldo not finding favour for a cabinet position.
Disappointment was writ large amongst the close supporters of the Independent MLA after he did not figure in the Cabinet on Saturday. “We have no idea why Reginaldo could not get a Cabinet berth despite extending support to the BJP government. We were all anticipating that our MLA will be inducted into the Cabinet”, remarked a close aide.
Another supporter echoed similar sentiments. “We are trying to figure out what went wrong politically for Reginaldo when he share a perfect relationship with the Chief Minister. We had high expectations from the Chief Minister, but we have no idea whether the party had a different agenda,” he added.
Another supporter argued that inducting Reginaldo into the Cabinet would have also given representation to the minority community in Salcete, which has gone unrepresented in the BJP-led government.
In fact, even political observers are trying to figure out the exact reasons behind keeping out the Independent MLA from Salcete and whether the Cabinet composition has anything to do with the BJP strategy ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
