CM Pramod Sawant will boost Goa’s growth trajectory: Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gave his best wishes to Pramod Sawant, the newly appointed Chief Minister of Goa and expressed confidence that he will boost the state’s growth trajectory.

“Best wishes to Pramod Sawant and his team as they begin their journey towards fulfilling the dreams of the people of Goa. I am sure they will build on the work done in the last few years and boost Goa’s growth trajectory,” Modi tweeted.

Sawant reached the Raj Bhawan, and was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Goa after the demise of his predecessor Manohar Parrikar, around midnight to stake claim to form the government after Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party and Sudin Dhavalikar of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party lent their support.

The two were rewarded with the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

The Congress had also reached Raj Bhavan to stake the claim. Claiming that the Congress is the “single-largest party” in Goa, the party asked Governor Mridula Sinha to “dismiss the ruling BJP.”

“Greetings to the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant and his team. I am sure that this new leadership will continue to serve the people of Goa with the same dedication and commitment. My best wishes,” BJP president Amit Shah tweeted.

The Goa Assembly strength is down to 36 MLAs — with the deaths of Parrikar on Sunday and Francis D’Souza in February, and with two Congress members resignations. The Congress has 14 MLAs, the BJP 12, the MGP and Goa Forward Party three each, the NCP one and three are Independents.