PANAJI
As political circles are abuzz with speculations after the removal of Govind Gaude from the State cabinet, senior party leaders have largely refrained from making detailed comments and instead attributed the decision to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the party high command.
Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate backed the CM’s authority in shaping his cabinet. “The CM is the head of the government. It is his prerogative to decide who he keeps in his cabinet. We are here at the pleasure of the CM,” he told reporters when asked for his reaction to the political development.
Former CM and senior BJP leader Laxmikant Parsekar reflected on the evolving nature of political dynamics in the state, stating that such decisions are often a result of shifting calculations.
“As days passed, as years passed, political calculations also changed. There was no such situation during my tenure. It was once, and one of the two Dhavalikar brothers was removed within a day. There was no order, as in this (Gaude’s) case,” Parsekar said, referring to an earlier reshuffle during his term.
Ex-Power Minister Nilesh Cabral distanced himself from the development, choosing not to wade into speculation over internal decisions stating, “I am not aware of the cabinet reshuffle. It is the CM’s prerogative. Any decision is that of the party's high command. When I was told to resign, I resigned.” Cabral resigned in November 2023 to pave the way for Aleixo Sequeira, who is currently the Law and Environment Minister.
Ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar gave a stern reminder to party functionaries and supporters to maintain discipline.
“Think before speaking, don’t make statements irresponsibly. Don’t take the party and anyone for granted,” he warned, in what appeared to be a veiled caution against airing internal disagreements in public.
Gaude, in a sarcastic tone, thanked the government for the decision while also asserting he would still continue to be the voice of downtrodden communities.
