MAPUSA
While the debate is still on as to who will bag the three vacant posts in CM Pramod Sawant’s cabinet, Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza nurtured hopes of getting the nod but put the ball in the CM’s court whether to include him in the cabinet or not.
D’Souza, on Tuesday, also said that Mapusa has been consistently electing a candidate from the BJP for the last seven elections and the voters feel that the ministry should go to the MLA of Mapusa.
“It’s up to the Chief Minister to decide whether he wants somebody like me in the cabinet or not. I am sure they are already considering…because my name seems to be popping up at many places but ultimately it is the decision he (CM) will be taking within this week,” D’Souza said.
“Finally, it’s the council of ministers that helps the CM to run the State. And if he has a good team and if he feels that I am capable and can be of assistance and help to him then I am sure he will consider the same,” he added.
Bardez, which has been considered as the BJP’s stronghold, had received maximum representation in the cabinet in the past.
Former CM Manohar Parrikar had inducted three ministers in his cabinet after winning a simple majority in the 2012 assembly polls and all three held powerful portfolios.
Again, after the 2017 assembly election, the BJP-led coalition government had three ministers from Bardez.
D’Souza said people of Mapusa felt that nobody cared for their sentiments and that they have been taken for granted although they have elected a BJP MLA seven times.
“I told them to convey their sentiments to the party. And they have met the CM and conveyed their feelings to him. Now, it is for the party to take a decision along with the CM to give the post to me or not,” he said.
“Whatever decision he (CM) takes, either way, I will be happy,” he added quickly.
Sources informed that the party was in a dilemma as Tivim MLA Nilkant Halarnkar was also lobbying hard for ministry.
So far, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte is the sole representative of Bardez in the cabinet.
D’Souza won the Mapusa seat amidst all odds having to face a more charismatic opponent from the principal opposition party and stiff factionalism within the party.
