MARGAO
It’s a sheer coincidence that the government zeroed in on Ravindra Bhavan, Margao as the venue for the distribution of sanction orders for the beneficiaries of the Griha Aadhaar scheme on Thursday.
Congress turncoats Digambar Kamat and Aleixo Sequeira were prominently seated on the dais in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Ministers Vishwajit Rane and Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, besides MLAs Reginaldo Lourenco and Ulhas Tuenkar.
Other than this government-organised official programme in the commercial capital, all appeared quiet in the fiefdom of Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Digambar Kamat as Thursday marked the first anniversary since the eight Congress turncoats quit the party to embrace the BJP on September 14 last year.
As news of the completion of one year since Kamat and the seven Congress MLAs joined the BJP made rounds in city political circles, one question Madgavkars asked appeared simple “ why has the former Chief Minister still not been inducted in the Pramod Sawant Cabinet till date and whether Kamat will ever be inducted as the Minister in the near future.
Pose this question to the seven-time Margao MLA and apt comes a reply from the seasoned political campaigner that he has left the decision on his induction in the Cabinet to the BJP leadership. “I have nothing to say on the question why I am not being inducted in the Cabinet. I have left the question to be decided by the BJP leadership,” Kamat told The Goan on Thursday.
Kamat admitted the party workers and supporters had a big expectation that he would be inducted in the Cabinet, and in turn help them with jobs and development.
He, however, hastened to add that the failure to induct him in the Cabinet has in no way affected the development of Margao constituency. “Within one year, I have got the government to lay the foundation stone for the six-lane Rawanfond bridge. This is my dream project and I have got the Chief Minister to sanction the project,” he said.
He added: “Another big project in the offing is the beautification of the entire road, both in front and the rear side of the Margao railway station. As far as development works is concerned, things have been moving in the right direction. A number of developmental projects would soon see light of the day.”
Commenting on the restaurant proposal mooted in the Margao Municipal Council’s multi-level parking project, Kamat said an unnecessary controversy has been created over the proposal. “The GSUDA, which is executing the project, has suggested that fifth floor of the parking building may be utilised for revenue generation by setting up a restaurant. If the Municipal Council is not in favour of the restaurant project, I do not think GSUDA will bulldoze its way,” he said.
Sources in the know pointed out that while the Congress-turned-BJP MLA has made it appear that all is fine with him during the last one year, close supporters in private say that a Ministerial berth would have given their “Baba” the power and position to get works done.
They cited a recent instance wherein the Urban Development Ministry cancelled the recruitment process set in motion by the Margao Municipality to fill up the 43 jobs of LDCs, workers and a mason. “An impression is gaining that the MLA is unable to have his way in the scheme of things,” the supporter wondered.
CM who had said ‘soon’ earlier just smiles now over induction
MARGAO: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant dogged the media when scribes tried to pose a question that the Congress turncoats have completed one year since they had joined the BJP on September 14 last year.
Before the scribe could pose the second question whether Congress-turned-Margao MLA Digambar Kamat will get a Cabinet berth since it’s now one year after he quit the Congress to embrace the BJP, the Chief Minister just smiled and left after waving to the people around.
The Chief Minister was walking towards his waiting car after the official programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Thursday morning when scribed following him drew his attention that the eight Congress MLAs have completed one year since they had switched sides from the Congress to the BJP.
The Chief Minister avoided a reply to the question before his official sped away from the Ravindra Bhavan.
