After intense speculations that lasted the whole of yesterday, Goa has a new Chief Minister. Pramod Sawant has won the much-anticipated floor test after his 2 am-oath ceremony on Monday night. What followed were tough negotiations by BJP to ensure that the BJP-led coalition could continue its reign there.
After the sudden death of CM Manohar Parrikar, Goa was lurking in the dark till BJP declared Pramod Sawant as their chief ministerial candidate.
In the floor test that was conducted in the Goa assembly, 20 MLAs voted for the motion (11 BJP, 3 Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, 3 Goa Forward Party, and 3 Independents) and 15 MLAs voted against the motion (14 Congress and 1 NCP).
He proved the majority of his BJP-led government in the Assembly, comfortably winning the floor test in the House.
The special session of the House was convened by governor Mridula Sinha, after Sawant was sworn in as the chief minister during the wee hours of Tuesday. The Assembly session was presided over by deputy speaker Michael Lobo.
All 14 Congress MLAs and one from the NCP stood up against the motion.
After winning the trust vote, Sawant appealed to all members to join hands with him to ensure that developmental work reaches every nook and corner of the state. He had earlier expressed his sorrow for not having Manohar Parrikar’s guidance anymore.
The change in leadership in the coastal state was made after the death of the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday.