Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi on Monday.
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s second visit to New Delhi has intensified political speculation over a possible cabinet reshuffle, even as he held discussions with the Centre on environmental and development priorities for the coastal state on the first day of his visit on Monday.
Sawant met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav with a press statement stating that the two leaders discussed sustainable development and green growth initiatives in Goa. A photograph of the meeting was also released, accompanied by a brief statement outlining the discussions. No further details were shared by the CMO.
Sawant is on a two-day visit to Delhi, his second trip to the capital within a week.
Sources told The Goan that he is expected to meet Election Commission officials on Tuesday, with discussions likely to focus on filling the cabinet vacancy ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle and the demand for Scheduled Tribe reservation in the Legislative Assembly at the earliest.
Sources further suggested that a reshuffle of two current ministers cannot be ruled out, although no confirmation has emerged from official channels. “There could be new faces,” the source added.
The CM is also expected to engage with other Union ministers to push Goa’s case on ST reservation before the polls.
Meanwhile, BJP Goa President Damu Naik attended an all-India meet of State presidents in Delhi.
Goa's irrigation infrastructure, water distribution network and long-term water security figured prominently in separate discussions between Sawant and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi.
Sawant said the meeting explored ways to improve water-use efficiency, promote sustainable management of water resources and strengthen support for the State's agriculture and rural sectors with assistance from the Centre.
