Move follows ‘corruption’ allegations, KA renovation controversy; Tawadkar or Gaonkar may be elevated
PANAJI
In a significant political development, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday stripped Minister for Art and Culture and Sports, Govind Gaude, of his cabinet rank, bringing him on par with other State MLAs.
The late evening development was long overdue following his outspoken allegations of corruption within the Tribal Welfare Department, a portfolio overseen by Chief Minister Sawant himself. The allegations came to light during a State-level function on May 26, causing a stir within political circles with ruling BJP as well as CM declaring to take strong action.
The move, according to the sources, is also the result of the massive corruption charges in the renovation work of the iconic Kala Academy structure – as pointed out by the two independent committees – Technical Committee and Expert Committee. The allegation of corruption as well as mishandling of Kala Academy revocation work came as major embarrassment to Sawant and the BJP-led government.
“The Governor of Goa is pleased to accept the recommendation of the Chief Minister of Goa, that Govind Gaude shall cease to be the Member of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, with immediate effect,” reads the order issued in the name of the Governor of Goa.
This is the second time that Sawant has dropped a cabinet minister in his first full term as the chief minister, after assuming the post in 2022. In November 2023, Sawant had dropped Nilesh Cabral as the PWD minister paving way for Congress turncoat Aleixo Sequeira’s cabinet berth.
When contacted, Goa BJP chief Damodar Naik said that the decision to drop Gaude was "unanimous" and "long overdue".
"This was a unanimous decision of the Chief Minister and the party. It was long overdue," Naik told The Goan, adding that the decision was taken only after obtaining a green signal from the party high command in Delhi.
“We had submitted the report and were waiting for their clearance,” Naik said.
After finding himself in hot waters, Gaude tried to do a damage-control exercise by blaming the media for misinterpreting his statement and clarifying that he had not accused the CM of corruption. He even tried to have a one-on-one meeting with Sawant to dissolve the issue.
Gaude also used United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) to build up pressure on the government not to drop him and warning of consequences.
Gaude, who was first elected as an independent MLA in 2017 from Priol Assembly constituency, became a first-time minister in former chief minister Manohar Parrikar’s cabinet. He continued as a minister in Sawant’s cabinet after the death of Parrikar in 2019.
In January 2022, Gaude resigned from Sawant’s cabinet and as an Independent MLA to join BJP. After joining the BJP, he was allotted a party ticket to contest the 2022 Assembly election from the Priol constituency. After he won the election, Sawant retained him in his cabinet.
Artists across the State had been demanding his dismissal, citing the pathetic condition of the Kala Academy despite over Rs 60 crore being spent on its renovation over the past few years.
Gaude’s public fall-out against the Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar and BJP ally – MGP was also something not appreciated by the party.
There is speculation that one of the two ST leaders — Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar or Ganesh Gaonkar — may be elevated to the post of cabinet minister soon.
More changes shortly, says BJP Goa chief
PANAJI: BJP Goa chief Damodar Naik has hinted at possible more changes in the State politics including in the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet in the coming days.
Refusing to disclose anything in detail, Naik said, “More changes will happen at the right time shortly.”
“I am not saying no…there are changes…wait for the right time to happen,” he added. Naik also said that a MLA will soon fill-up the vacant cabinet berth.
