MARGAO
Even as the Pramod Sawant-led government assumed office on Monday along with his Cabinet colleagues, minority Salcete seemed to have been left out in the scheme of things, with the taluka not getting a representation in the BJP-led government.
This is perhaps the first time that a BJP-led government has assumed office without representation to Salcete.
Recent reports that Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco may find a Cabinet berth in the Pramod Sawant dispensation after he offered his written support to the BJP have come a cropper.
Also, speculations that Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai may be inducted into the BJP-led government too have fallen flat.
Former BJP chief minister late Manohar Parrikar, known for his political acumen and deft handling of political issues, always had Salcete in his scheme of things. In fact, to lend stability to his government, observers said that late Parrikar had roped in MLAs from Saxttidom to cobble up the right numbers in government formation.
When late Parrikar formed the government in 2002, exactly a decade ago, observers pointed out that he roped into his Cabinet, then UGDP MLA Mickky Pacheco and then Independent Filipe Nery Rodrigues, both hailing from Saxtti.
In the 2012 Assembly election, which brought the BJP back to power, riding on a strong anti-Congress wave, Manohar Parrikar ensured that the minority from Salcete had a representation in his Cabinet. Though the BJP had the magic figure of 21 MLAs and the MGP extending support to the government, Parrikar, in a move that was seen as an attempt to keep the Salcete minorities in good humour, had inducted Independent Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado a Minister in his Cabinet.
Take note, the BJP in 2012 had a lone seat in Salcete, when party candidate Rajan Naik had won from Cuncolim. Parrikar, however, preferred to induct the Independent Navelim MLA into his Cabinet, as part of his move to give representation to Salcete.
That’s not all. The late Chief Minister had closely worked with then Velim Independent MLA Benjamin D’Silva and not to mention then Goa Vikas Party MLAs -- Mickky Pacheco and Caitu Silva.
In the subsequent 2017 Assembly election, when the BJP was left trailing behind with 13 seats, Salcete had saved the day for Manohar Parrikar when Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai propped up the BJP government headed by the late chief minister.
After Parrikar’s demise and the emerging political developments unfolding in the State after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant got the three Goa Forward ministers, including Sardesai dropped from his Cabinet, after one-third of Congress legislators merged into the BJP following a split in the main opposition party, the government had rewarded Filipe Nery Rodrigues from Salcete with a Ministerial berth.
Reginaldo's supporters unhappy, but he says 'Bhivpachi Garaz Na'
MARGAO
“Bhivpachi Garaz Na”, was how Curtorim Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco reacted when he did not find a berth in the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet on Monday.
As disappointment was writ large on the faces of his close aides and supporters from Curtorim and outside, Reginaldo sought to downplay the episode after realization dawned on his workers that he was not amongst the eight Ministers, who assumed office along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“Today, I have a message to all my workers and supporters -- Bhivpachi Garaz Na. I am positive of the things that would unfold in the coming days”, he told The Goan.
Saying that he does understand the sentiments of his supporters and workers who had high expectations over his induction into the Cabinet, Reginaldo said he is very positive about being inducted into the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet.
Hinting that he may find a place in the Cabinet given there are three slots vacant to be filled up, the Independent MLA said he has extended support to the BJP government with the sole purpose of ushering all-round development of his constituency.
Reginaldo was amongst the three Independents who had extended their support to the BJP in government formation shortly after the results.
“I had extended support to the BJP government with the sole purpose of ushering development of my constituency. And, I am confident that the BJP leadership will do justice to me”, he asserted.
Sources said several Reginaldo supporters from Curtorim and outside had headed to the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium on Monday morning as hopes were raised in political circles that the Independent MLA could be one of the MLAs who may find a berth in the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet.
Vijai denies speculation over his support to BJP
MARGAO
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai, who has been the talking point in political circles over his induction into the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet, skipped the grand oath-taking ceremony at the Shyama Prasad Mukerjee stadium on Monday.
By noon, Sardesai had headed to the Zambaulim Temple with his wife Usha for lunch ahead of the Zambaulim Gulal scheduled on Tuesday.
Reiterating his consistent stand, the Goa Forward chief declined to comment on questions ranging from the composition of the Pramod Sawant-led Cabinet to the likelihood of his induction into the Cabinet.
“These are mere speculations and have no basis at all. The BJP has neither sought my support nor have I committed by support to the government”, Sardesai asserted.
He declined to comment anything on speculations about whether he would be part of the government when the Chief Minister goes in for Cabinet expansion.
