Team Herald
PANJIM: Suspense looms large over who will get the power portfolio when Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant expands his Ministry.
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The Chief Minister on Sunday allocated most of the key portfolios to his nine Cabinet colleagues. Sawant now holds the reins of all other portfolios, including education, power, social welfare, river navigation, etc and it is likely to be distributed to three others to be inducted soon. But Power remains the top draw and is the most coveted among portfolios not yet allotted.
The question being asked is whether the big-budget power department will go to a political heavyweight from Salcete taluka who is not a part of the current BJP dispensation is not or will it be retained by the Chief Minister.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and MGP MLA Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar and four-time MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco if inducted, could be strong contenders for power portfolio.
However, the political grapevine is active and former Chief Minister and Power Minister Digambar Kamat’s name has yet again cropped up in discussions, Kamat himself has distanced himself from this narrative. Though he was not available today, he told party workers in Margao a couple of days ago who promised him all support in any situation, “I will not betray you,” and he promised that he would consult them on all decisions.
Kamat, it may be recalled, made a solemn promise in temples and to the people that neither he nor any Congress MLA would defy the people’s mandate and switch parties.
Not getting the CLP leader and Leader of the Opposition post shocked Kamat
Notwithstanding promises made earlier, it is learnt that the veteran Congressman was taken aback and shocked when he was not made the Leader of the Opposition and CLP leader. The fact that it went to new entrant Michael Lobo displeased him and this feeling has been amply conveyed. Since then, conversations around him possibly leaving have emerged stronger.
Also, some BJP leaders want Mandrem MGP MLA Jit Arolkar inducted into the cabinet instead of Dhavalikar, maintaining there already is adequate representation for Ponda taluka in the cabinet. Supporters of BJP’s Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar are also demanding a cabinet berth for him so that Pernem taluka gets representation.
The Chief Minister has hinted that he will expand his cabinet soon. A decision on the cabinet expansion is likely to be taken after BJP celebrates its foundation day on Wednesday and also over the availability of Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, who is also leaving for Kerala on Thursday. The Governor will return the same evening.
According to BJP sources, the cabinet expansion is likely to be held on Friday. It will be held in the newly-built Durbar hall and the time would be intimated soon.
