PANJIM: Three-time MLA Pramod Sawant will take oath as Chief Minister for the second time in a grand ceremony at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium, Taleigao plateau at 11 am on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J P Nadda, Chief Ministers of seven BJP-ruled States and senior party leaders are expected to attend the oath taking ceremony.
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This is second time the BJP government will be sworn-in outside the Raj Bhavan, the first being in 2012 when the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar took oath in a ceremony held at SAG ground, Campal-Panjim after the party won 21 seats and its ally MGP winning three seats.
Dr Sawant succeeded then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar in March 2019 following his death. The ayurvedic doctor turned politician Sawant was a surprise choice for the key role then. He led the BJP to victory in 2022 polls even as it fell short by one seat to secure simple majority.
A grand stage has been set up and posters and hoardings have also been put up all along the route. A large number of people are likely to attend the mega event which is open to all.
However, the BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanavade has appealed to people not to wear black clothes and black face masks as they will not be allowed to enter the venue.
The opposition Congress party on Sunday criticised the BJP for asking people not to wear black dresses and black masks while attending the oath taking ceremony.
Taking to twitter, Congress media cell chairman Amarnath Panjikar asked, ”Why @BJP4Goa @BJP4India is scared of Black masks & Black dresses? It’s a history that new rules are being imposed for swearing-in ceremony of Goa government.”
The BJP has retained power in the State for the consecutive third term. It won 20 seats and enjoys the support of three independents and two MGP legislators in the 40-Member Assembly.
