PANAJI
After its stunning ride to victory on Thursday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday chaired the last meeting of the outgoing Cabinet and passed a resolution to dissolve the State legislative assembly to make way for the latest crop of legislators into the hallowed precincts of the House.
Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Sawant said that the Cabinet had also passed a resolution thanking the people of Goa for their support to his government and its policies during the three years in which he headed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition.
"We had called members of the last Cabinet and a resolution was passed to dissolve the Assembly from Monday morning. The resolution will be sent to the Governor, after which Assembly will be dissolved and a meeting of fresh legislators would be held," Sawant told reporters at the State legislative assembly complex.
According to the existing procedure, the outgoing assembly will stand dissolved after the Governor's assent and the issuance of a notification to the effect.
Sawant also thanked the people of Goa for the support extended to his government during the period from 2019-22.
"I was a chief minister for the last three years and the people gave us a chance to work for Goa. Our work in the infrastructure development, human development sectors was appreciated by the people," the Chief Minister said.
"The Cabinet has also passed a resolution thanking the people of Goa for their support," he said adding that the people of Goa had stood by the government during the various crisis which were tackled under his leadership including the Covid pandemic, Tauktae cyclone, floods, etc.
On the leadership, Sawant said the decision will be taken after BJP Central observers arrive in Goa. He, however, added that he was not sure when the central observers were scheduled to arrive.
After the central observers arrive, new legislature wing will meet to decide its leader, he said.
On reluctance of some BJP leaders in taking support from MGP Sawant said, “our decisions are taken by the central leadership. This decision too will be taken centrally.”
Reports have suggested that MGP has extended unconditional letter of support at the behest of BJP’s central leaders like Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis.
Sawant headed the BJP's charge leading to the February 14 elections, in which the BJP won 20 seats, just one short of the majority mark of 21 in the 40-member state legislative assembly.
The Congress and its alliance partner Goa Forward could win only 11 and one seat respectively.
