Gun salute, prayers mark comeback; supporters throng Pimpalkatta
Newly-inducted Minister Digambar Kamat takes a salute at his Malbhat residence.
MARGAO
The hustle and bustle returned to Malbhat on Thursday, as the office-cum-residence of seven-time Margao MLA Digambar Kamat came alive once again.
A ceremonial gun salute by the men in uniform marked the occasion, while scores of supporters and well-wishers gathered around Pimpalkatta — the seat of the presiding deity Lord Damodar — to seek divine blessings and celebrate Kamat’s return to the ministerial office after a 14-year hiatus.
The atmosphere was charged with emotion and energy as enthusiastic followers assembled at Pimpalkatta at 5 pm, following word that Kamat would visit the sacred site to offer prayers. Earlier in the day, dozens of loyal supporters had travelled all the way to Raj Bhavan to witness his swearing-in ceremony, marking his re-entry into the State Cabinet.
Kamat made it clear to the media that ministry or not, it made no difference to him as he continued his development work in the city in the last 13 years without enjoying power. “As a MLA, I had managed to do work not just in Margao but entire Goa. Ministry or not, it made no difference for Kamat,” he said.
He, however hastened to add that his supporters and workers felt that he would have taken up many more works with authority if he was the Minister. “God has listened to their prayers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President J P Nadda, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP general secretary B L Santosh, besides Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and State BJP chief Damu Naik all decided to induct me in the Ministry,” he said.
Kamat said his induction as well as that of Ramesh Tawadkar is a signal by the party to strengthen the party given their close association with the common man. “These leaders felt that our induction will have a good impact on the party given our mass contact. The reshuffle has taken place as the party wanted to give a big push to development work,” he added.
When a scribed posed him a question on the portfolios, Kamat shot back, “I was Chief Minister for five years. Don’t ask me about the portfolios. You would not have asked him the question if you knew how the system works.”
Asked whether the Election Code of Conduct will come in his way of ushering development in Margao, Kamat again shot back: Digambar knows how to get the work done. My issues do not remain unresolved. I have resolved many issues. The code of conduct will not affect me as I believe in the maxim where there’s a will, there’s away.”