Goa reshuffle: Minister quits, makes way for Congress turncoat who joined BJP last year

Pramod Sawant said he requested Cabral to resign in the interest of the party, adding that a cabinet berth was a ‘promise’ and a ‘commitment’ made to Sequeira when he joined the party.

“It is the party’s decision. Cabral is a core member of the party. Party persons have to [make] sacrifices during such a situation,” Sawant said.

After the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan on Sunday evening, Sequeira, who represents the Catholic-dominated Nuvem Assembly constituency, told The Indian Express, “Personally, no such commitment (of a Cabinet berth) was given to me. The chief minister made only one commitment…that he will not compromise on the development of my constituency. I was informed by the CM around 11 am today that I am becoming a minister. Nobody promised me ministership before that.”

Referring to CM’s remark about the ‘promise’ being fulfilled, the five-time MLA said, “The promise, I believe, was, made to the group [of MLAs who joined]. I happen to be a member of the group.”

“As far as the portfolios are concerned, he [CM] has not told me anything. If I was the CM I would have selected the portfolio I wanted. That is his prerogative. I have been Power Minister, Environment Minister…I also held the most exciting portfolio of Minister of Printing and Stationary. As far as Nilesh is concerned, I feel very awkward and at times, embarassed. He has been a friend of mine, he has helped me even when I was not an MLA,” Sequeira added.

Sequeira’s elevation in the cabinet is likely to bolster the BJP’s prospects as it looks to wrest the South Goa parliamentary seat from the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, party leaders said.

Speculations about a cabinet reshuffle to accomodate Sequeira, Margao MLA and former CM Digambar Kamat, and Calangute MLA Micheal Lobo, have been rife for several months. Four of the eight ‘turncoat’ MLAs were appointed as chairpersons or vice-chairpersons of state-owned corporations. This is the first rejig in the state Cabinet after the Pramod Sawant-led BJP formed the government in Goa.

Cabral, who represents the Curchorem Assembly constituency, was holding the portfolios of Law and Judiciary, Environment and Climate Change, and Legislative Affairs.

On Sunday, in his resignation letter addressed to Sawant, Cabral said, “As requested by you and the senior members of the party, due to commitments you have previously made, I tender my resignation from your Cabinet of Ministers.”

Cabral later told the media, “I was called by the central leadership and was told to resign as there was a prior commitment, when eight Congress MLAs joined the party. The position doesn’t matter, what matters is Curchorem’s development. I have performed as a minister. In future whatever responsibility the party gives, I will handle it.”