Pramod Sawant leads the race for the post of Chief Minister of Goa
Panaji (Goa):
The Bharatiya Janata Party assembly in Goa will meet in Panaji on Monday to announce the name of the next chief minister and the date for the swearing-in ceremony.
Goa BJP president Sadanand Tanawade on Sunday confirmed that Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and L. Murugan will also be present in the meeting as BJP’s central observer to facilitate government formation in the state.
“The BJP Legislature Party meeting will be held at the BJP office at 4 pm,” Mr. Tanawade said.
Meanwhile, caretaker Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is the front-runner for the CM’s post, said that he will accept whatever responsibility the party gives him.
He said, “I am happy that I was able to get 20 seats for my party. BJP observers are coming tomorrow for the party’s legislature party meeting. Everything will be decided in tomorrow’s meeting. I will gladly accept the responsibility taken.” Mr Sawant on Sunday.
BJP will stake claim and approach Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai to form the government.
Earlier on Saturday, Mr Sawant met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss government formation.
In the recently concluded state assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party in Goa, winning 20 seats in the 40-member state assembly and trouncing the Congress in 11 seats. The BJP fell one seat short of the majority mark in Goa, but is set to retain power in the state with the help of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak (MGP) and independent candidates.