the goan I network
PANAJI
Mormugao MLA Milind Naik and Curchorem MLA, Nilesh Cabral were on Monday inducted into the Manohar Parrikar Cabinet, replacing two ailing ministers -- Francis D’Souza and Pandurang Madkaikar -- in a bid to end the functional crisis plaguing the coalition government led by ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Governor Dr Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Naik and Cabral at a simple ceremony held at a short notice at the Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula. While Naik took his oath in Marathi, Cabral did so in Konkani.
Later in the day, Naik was allocated the portfolios of Urban Development, Law and Legislative Affairs while Cabral was given charge of Power, non-Conventional Energy and Social Welfare. These departments were earlier held by D’Souza and Madkaikar.
Meanwhile, almost all the ministers and MLAs from the Treasury benches as well as Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr Pramod Sawant attended the ceremony, which was however boycotted by the Opposition.
Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo and Independent legislator from Sanguem, Prasad Gaonkar, were the only two MLAs from the ruling side who abstained. Lobo was not available for comments.
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar also attended the ceremony. The Opposition, however, went unrepresented as all the 16 Congress MLAs as well as the lone NCP MLA, Churchill Alemao, gave the ceremony a miss.
Former chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Former Speaker Rajendra Arlekar, former MLA Rajan Naik, Former Deputy Speaker Anant Shet and the BJP’s central leaders, Organising Secretary Vijay Puranik, National General Secretary and Goa Desk incharge B L Santhosh were the other prominent political dignitaries who attended the function.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar who was contacted by mediapersons for a comment on D’Souza’s adverse reaction to his removal from the Cabinet said it was natural to feel bad when you are dropped as a minister.
“It is quite natural if someone is dropped from Cabinet that he feels bad. Francis D’Souza is a loyal worker of the party. Within one or two days the problem will be solved,” Tendulkar said.
He further added that Francis and Madkaikar have been told that once their health improves party will give them more responsibilities.
He said, the National president Amit Shah has taken a decision after discussing with the party leaders.
“This Cabinet reshuffle is not a sudden decision. Everything has been done after deep thought and all party workers have been informed about it,” Tendulkar said. Asked about the Congress’ move to stake claim to form government, Tendulkar said the Opposition will not win on the floor of House.
