the goan I network
MARGAO
Goa Forward chief and Deputy Chief Minister, Vijai Sardesai had his way with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant allocating him the Forest portfolio on Friday.
Sardesai, however, had no comment to offer on the fact that his Goa Forward ministerial colleague Vinoda Palienkar had to go without any additional portfolio and Jayesh Salgaokar settling for a not so important portfolio of Museum with the DyCM asserting that portfolio distribution is the prerogative of Chief Minister.
With the WRD minister not finding favour with Sawant for an additional portfolio and the fact that another Goa Forward minister, RDA Minister Jayesh Salgaokar receiving a not too important Museum portfolio, questions have been raised in political circles whether there’s a growing realisation in the leadership of the Goa Forward to accommodate the interests of the major coalition partner post, bypoll results.
That the Goa Forward chief has no qualms over the Goa Forward ministers not getting important portfolios further indicates the growing realisation amongst the leadership of the regional party about the changing power equation. That Sardesai had his way when he got the Forest portfolio despite reservations raised by some BJP leaders that the three portfolios of Agriculture, TCP and Forest should not be vested in one person only goes to show that the major coalition partner has accommodated his interest in the scheme of things.
Sources said the Goa Forward chief seemed to have
taken cognizance of the changing power equation in the coalition arrangement. It is learnt that Sardesai is of the opinion that the regional party would not lay claim on any major portfolios given that the trio has already been presiding over some of the important portfolios, including the prized TCP, RDA, Housing, WRD, Fisheries etc.
That’s not all. He is believed to have further made it quite clear to the GF leaders that the party should take note of the changing power equation and circumstances, post-2017 Assembly election. With BJP’s tally of seats in the Legislative Assembly swelling
to 17 from just 13 in 2017 and the demands within the major coalition to have a major slice of the cake, realization is believed to have dawned on the regional party leadership to accommodate the interests of the coalition partner as well.
“I have nothing to say on the allocation of portfolios since it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister. But, I would like to state that we are all members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and we had come together in 2017 to provide a stable government for the people of Goa.”, Sardesai told The Goan.
As regards the Forest portfolio allocated to him by the Chief Minister, the DyCM maintained that forest portfolio was a link portfolio and was required to take the process forward unhindered given that he was already presiding over the affairs Agriculture and Town and Planning.
