PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant assumed charge as the new CM of Goa at around 12.45pm, nearly 11 hours after taking oath of office and secrecy.
Before taking charge, Sawant reached out to the grieving family of the departed ex-CM Manohar Parrikar, whom he considers his mentor. Accompanied by BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Tendulkar, the new CM arrived at Parrikar’s Dona Paula resident at 11.33 am and spent over 20 minutes with the family. He exited the place at 11.55 am and headed to the Goddess Mahalaxmi temple at Boca de Vaca to seek her blessings as a huge crowd and the media followed him.
Incidentally, his mentor too had visited the same temple and prayed before the Goddess before beginning any new task. The last time Parrikar visited the temple was on his return from US in June 2018, after undergoing treatment for his illness.
Sawant, who has often shown his inclination towards his predecessor, arrived at the Ministerial Block, Secretariat at around 12.45pm. The highlight at this point of time was a large framed picture of Parrikar which was held by Tendulkar, also moving in the CM’s official car. Both entered the CM’s office where Sawant addressed the waiting media.
His first press briefing after assuming the CM’s charge revolved around carrying forward Parrikar’s legacy of commitment towards good governance and reaching out to every person. He later garlanded his idol’s photo and met some top police officials. Post a lunch-break, he visited the BJP office and stayed back till evening. Bureaucrats, party leaders and office bearers paid a courtesy visit.
Owing to the State mourning, the new CM has urged his visitors to not welcome him with bouquets. “You may not even visit me,” he added.
However, due to the ongoing code of conduct, the new CM could not take stock of the pending government works.
