PANAJI
Describing himself as a foot-soldier of the BJP, who was given the opportunity to lead the party in the February 14 assembly election in capacity as a general, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the party would look to provide a people-centric, transparent and corruption-free government in Goa.
He, however, said that a final call on the legislative leadership of the party would be arrived at after a formal clearance by the BJP's highest decision-making body, the central parliamentary board.
Senior BJP leader and the party's Goa in-charge for the assembly polls, Devendra Fadnavis said that the party had received letters of unconditional support -- three from Independent candidates and two-member Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party -- which would take the tally of the BJP's post poll alliance apparatus to 25.
In a conversation with media after a meeting of the newly elected legislators, Sawant shied away from taking the spotlight in wake of the party's performance against odds, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party's policies for the win.
"I am not saying I brought the numbers. The BJP did it. Modi was the face. And the election was conducted under his leadership and we got an opportunity. I am a BJP soldier and the party gave me an opportunity to fight the battle as a general... the results are a feedback of the work done over the 10 years of BJP governance and during my three year tenure," Sawant said.
"We will have a stable government for five years," Sawant also said dismissing suggestions that the BJP stood to benefit from a split in the opposition votes. He also said that the party would analyse why it failed to win 22 plus seats, as the party had tom-tommed during the election campaign.
"We had said 22-plus in 2022, I am concerned about why we could not reach that number. We lost two-three constituencies. Mandrem, St Andre and Siolim. We will be analysing our mistakes. We have already started preparation for the 2027 elections now," he said, while adding that the party got "no advantage from a vote split".
Fadnavis speaking to reporters that that the party was in no hurry to stake claim seeking comfort in the winning numbers clocked by the BJP.
"Three independent candidates have extended support to the BJP. We had said yesterday that even if we win 21 seats, we will take some more people along with us. In keeping with the assurance, these three independents and the MGP have given a letter of support to the BJP. They are going to be with us. We are thankful to the MGP and the three candidates and we will form a government with a good majority of 25," Fadnavis said. The three independent candidates include Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo.
"Now there will be a meeting of the central parliamentary board. A central observer will be appointed. He will come to Goa either today or tomorrow. There will be a legislature party meeting after which we will meet the Governor. Because we have a majority, we do not need to run around," the former Maharashtra Chief Minister said, even as party sources said that the BJP was likely to stake claim on Friday.
