Rupesh Samant

Daijiworld News Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 24: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday, September 24, introduced anticipated change in the cabinet by dropping two ailing ministers, and inducting new faces from his party.

State Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza and State Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar were dropped by Governor Mridula Sinha upon the recommendation of the Chief Minister.

Hours after dropping them, two BJP legislators – Milind Naik and Nilesh Cabral – were sworn-in during a function at Raj Bhavan. While Naik is a former Power minister in Laxmikant Parsekar-led cabinet and represents Mormugao constituency, Cabral is elected from Curchorem constituency, which is a hotbed for mining industry.

The dropping of the ailing ministers is apparently fall out of the recent exercise by BJP’s Central Observers who had met the party leaders and alliance partners to take stock of the political situation in absence of Parrikar.

BJP National President Amit Shah in his tweet yesterday had stated that the cabinet reshuffle will be done as soon as possible, while ending the leadership issue with the claim that Parrikar would continue to be the Chief Minister of the State.

The announcement of dropping two ministers and replacing them with new faces was made this morning by Chief Minister’s Office.

“I was surprised when I received call from the chief minister at 8.45 a.m. today. I was told that I would be inducted in the cabinet,” said Naik talking to reporters after the Swearing-In ceremony.

He said that the experience that he had as a minster in former Laxmikant Parsekar-led ministry worked in his favour to be chosen amongst BJP legislators for induction in the cabinet.

“I have experience of becoming the minister. Also we have guidance of the Chief Minister, which will help us to perform well,” Naik said.

Goa State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar said that it was the decision of the party to choose these two legislators to be inducted while dropping D’Souza and Madkaikar who are ailing.

“It is the decision of the party and the chief minister to induct anyone in the cabinet,” he said.

BJP’s alliance partner, Goa Forward Party, said that it was entirely internal decision of BJP to choose legislators for induction. “We have nothing to do with their decision. They need not take us into confidence while doing it,” said GFP President Vijai Sardesai.