Ending weeks of speculation, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Goa Revolution Day dropped Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude from the Cabinet. The move follows Gaude’s recent controversial remarks alleging rampant corruption in the Department of Tribal Welfare — a portfolio held by the Chief Minister himself.
In a post on his X handle shortly after the announcement, Gaude remarked with injured pride: “I have been rewarded this fate on the Goa Revolution Day for standing up for the downtrodden communities. Gratitude to my Government and Party for liberating me to continue the struggle that I voiced for.”He added that he would always choose truth over power.
The General Administration Department (GAD) issued an official notification confirming his dismissal: “The Governor of Goa is pleased to accept the recommendation of the Chief Minister of Goa that Shri Govind Gaude shall cease to be the Member of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, with immediate effect.”
While CM Sawant, attending a programme in Sankhali, confirmed Gaude’s removal, he declined to elaborate on the decision. However, BJP State President Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik stated it was a “unanimous decision of the Chief Minister and the party” and described the move as “long overdue”.
Gaude had already been under fire over the handling of renovation works at the Kala Academy — Goa’s premier cultural institution. Several artistes had called for his removal, alleging substandard restoration work despite crores of rupees being spent over the past two years.
This marks the second time during Sawant’s current tenure that a minister has been dropped. The earlier instance was in November 2023, when Nilesh Cabral resigned to make way for Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira. That transition was framed as a consensual party-driven move. In contrast, Gaude’s exit appears more unceremonious.
It is also not the first time the Chief Minister has reshuffled his Cabinet. In 2019, he dropped four ministers — Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai, Vinod Palyekar, Jayesh Salgaonkar (all from the Goa Forward Party), and independent MLA Rohan Khaunte.
With Gaude’s portfolios currently held by the Chief Minister, speculation is rife about his replacement. Likely contenders include Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar — both Scheduled Tribe legislators — in what could be a move to restore political ‘balance’.
Political observers suggest more heads may roll soon, with a broader Cabinet reshuffle on the cards. There is also mounting pressure to honour promises made to former Congress MLAs who joined the BJP in September 2022. CM Sawant has previously indicated that “good days” lie ahead for some of them.