Team Herald
PANJIM: Sanvordem MLA Deepak Pauskar was sworn in as minister in the Dr Pramod Sawant Cabinet late Wednesday night.
Pauskar had split from MGP and merged with the BJP in the wee hours of Wednesday along with his senior colleague Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar. The oath of office and secrecy to Pauskar was administered by Governor Mridula Sinha.
The swearing in, which was scheduled at noon, was held at 11.30pm as Sinha was out of the State and returned at around 9.30 pm.
Goa Forward Party and senior ministers skipped the ceremony. Present were Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Ministers Govind Gaude, Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar and Nilesh Cabral.
Pausakar was inducted after his former senior colleague Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar was dropped from the Cabinet early morning.
Dhavalikar held the portfolios of PWD, Transport and Navigation. However, Pauskar is not expected to inherit all the portfolios as per sources and the allocation is expected on Thursday.
