In Goa, a tussle for PWD pie

However, NGOs and activists are not ready to accept Naik at the helm of Town & Country Planning. During his days as CM, Naik was accused of converting huge tracts of agricultural land to urban use. The process was later institutionalised by Babush Monserrate last year. “The Government should appear to be clean and serious while preparing a new plan and therefore this department should be held by the CM himself,” said a Goa Bachao Abhiyan activist. Kamat has already announced that the plan has been scrapped and all land conversions under it are null and void.

Activists fear that the same plan might be revived under another name as politicians behind it like Monserrate have been elected. The party high command too is concerned about who gets sensitive portfolios like Town & Country Planning, Environment, Education, etc.

Four outgoing ministers are likely to be retained. They include Pandurang Madkaikar who might retain Transport, Joaquim Alemao, Filipe Neri Rodrigues and Dayanand Narvekar. Narvekar being quite senior is learnt to be keen on a major portfolio.

The Chief Minister will also have to keep in mind sentiments of all sections of the society, more so because the denial of chief ministership to Naik has not gone down well with the Bhandari Samaj. The Bahujan Samaj may need more representation mainly to nullify the impression that the Congress is against them. For this reason, there will be Pandurang Madkaikar, a Scheduled Tribe member and Babu Azgaonkar who represents Dhargalim.

Victoria Fernandes and Loutolim MLA Aleixo Sequeira were being considered for ministerial berth, sources said. “All loyalists will be accommodated and the portfolios of senior ones will be retained,” said a source in the party.

Besides, the Congress has begun the process of short-listing names for Deputy Speaker and Parliamentary Secretary. The CM is leaving for New Delhi on Monday to discuss the issue and depending upon the outcome, the Cabinet expansion is likely on Tuesday.