Minister Digambar Kamat offers prayers to Lord Damodar at Pimpalkatta after his induction on Thursday.
MARGAO
In a symbolic gesture soon after taking oath as Minister in the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat embarked on a temple run on Thursday.
Sources said Kamat’s visits served a dual purpose: to seek divine blessings at the beginning of his ministerial tenure and to send a pointed message to critics who have repeatedly referred to his 2022 statement that he left the Congress to join the BJP after “speaking to God.”
Speaking to The Goan, Kamat said, “Many people have been unnecessarily raking up and giving a twist to my statement about consulting God before quitting Congress. I have always been visiting temples, both within and outside Goa. Today’s visits were to seek blessings for my new responsibilities as a Minister.”
After his oath ceremony, Kamat visited several prominent temples in Ponda taluka and Margao. His first stop was the Nagueshi Temple, followed by the Mahalaxmi Temple. On his return journey, he also prayed at the Sai Baba Temple in Borim.
Entering Margao through Fatorda, the newly-inducted Minister visited the Lord Damodar Linga Temple near the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Later, he proceeded to Pimpalkatta near the New Market area, where he was greeted by a gathering of supporters, workers, and well-wishers.
Kamat also made time to visit the Lord Damodar Temple at Sal on Abade Faria Road, followed by a stop at the Mutt near the military camp on Monte Hill. He also participated in a Satyanarayan Pooja at the Konkan Railway Station.
When asked by The Goan why his itinerary included only temples, Kamat clarified and reminded “A couple of Catholic priests attended my swearing-in ceremony on my invitation.”
