Speaker of Goa legislature Pramod Sawant has been announced the next chief minister of the tiny coastal state, according to reports. Sawant, 44, is the youngest speaker of Goa assembly. He is an Ayurveda doctor and has been active in politics since 2002. He represents Sanquelim constituency. To placate upset allies, Goa Forward Party's Vijai Sardesai and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party's (MGP) Sudin Dhavalikar will be made deputy chief ministers. There are speculations that the swearing in could be held tonight.
With the death of chief minister Manohar Parrikar, Goa faces political uncertainty. Even while Parrikar's condition worsened on Sunday, the state allies said they would need to rethink support. "We supported Manohar Parrikar, and not the party. So in case of any eventuality, we will rethink (our support to the BJP)," Goa Forward Party chief had Vijai Sardesai said.
The Congress had gone on the offensive, staking claim to form the government in the state. Fourteen Congress MLAs reached the Raj Bhavan and met Governor Mridula Sinha. After the demise of Parrikar and BJP MLA Francis D'Souza and the resignation of two Congress MLAs, the strength of the house has reduced to 36. The Congress is the single largest party in the state assembly with 14 MLAs while the BJP has 12 members. The GFP, MGP and independents are three MLAs each. The BJP did not hold back. When senior Congress leader and former CM Digambar Kamat left for New Delhi on Sunday, speculation was rife that he may join the ruling BJP.
After the news of Parrikar's death broke, the coalition partners had called emergency meetings. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had flown into the state early Monday to lead the discussion.